























| uide to Records Relating to 

U.S. Military Participation 
in World War II 



Part I 

Policy, Planning, Administration 


Compiled dy Timothy P. Mulligan 


National Archives and Records Administration 




















G 


uide to Records Relating to 


U.S. Military Participation 
in World War II 


Part I 

Policy, Planning, Administration 



Compiled dy Timothy P. Mulligan 


National Archives and Records Administration 
1996 



/ 


PUBLISHED FOR THE 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION 
BY THE 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES TRUST FUND BOARD 



Cataloging-in-Publication Data 


Guide to Records Relating to U.S. Military Participation in World War II, 

Part I: Policy, Planning, Administration 

compiled by Timothy P. Mulligan—Washington, DC: National Archives and 
Records Administration, 1996. 

171 p.; 28 cm. 

ISBN 1-880875-08-X 

"This guide supplements the two-volume guide published by the National 
Archives in 1950: Federal Records of World War II, especially Volume II: 
Military Agencies, "--p. 1 


1. World War, 1939-1945-United States-Sources. 2. United States-Armed 
Forces—History—20th Century—Sources. 3. Executive Departments—United 
States-History-Sources. I. Mulligan, Timothy. II. Title 


32949104 


The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the 
American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Materials 
239.48-1984. 


Cover: Pres. F.D. Roosevelt in conference with Gen. D. MacArthur, Adm. 

Chester Nimitz, and Adm. W.D. Leahy, while on tour in Hawaii Islands. 
(80-G-239549) 


CONTENTS 

PREFACE . v 

INTRODUCTION . 1 

I: CENTRAL PLANNING AND STRATEGY. 5 

INTRODUCTION . 5 

RG 107 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 5 

The Secretary of War. 5 

The Assistant Secretary of War. 7 

RG 80 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, 

1798-1947 . 9 

The Secretary of the Navy. 9 

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy. 11 

General Board. 11 

Joint Army-Navy Board (Navy). 13 

RG 225 RECORDS OF JOINT ARMY AND NAVY BOARDS AND 

COMMITTEES. 13 

The Joint Board. 13 

RG 218 RECORDS OF THE U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF . 14 

The Combined Chiefs of Staff. 14 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff. 15 

RG 165 RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL AND SPECIAL 

STAFFS. 20 

Chief of Staff. 20 

War Plans Division/Operations Division . 24 

Civil Affairs Division. 33 

RG 319 RECORDS OF THE ARMY STAFF. 35 

Plans and Operations Division. 35 

Chief of Staff. 36 

Historical Manuscripts . 36 

RG 407 RECORDS OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, 1917-. 37 

RELATED RECORDS . 41 

II: ADMINISTERING THE DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENT . 43 

INTRODUCTION . 43 

RG 330 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. 43 

RG 107 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 44 

The Secretary of War. 44 

The Civilian Personnel Division . 47 

Army Specialist Corps . 48 

Secretary of War's Coordinator for Soldier Voting. 48 

Bureau of Public Relations. 49 

Boards and Committees. 50 

RG 407 RECORDS OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, 1917-. 51 

RG 165 RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL AND SPECIAL 

STAFFS. 56 

Chief of Staff. 56 


i 










































Personnel Division, G-l. 56 

Budget Division. 58 

Legislative and Liaison Division. 59 

RG 319 RECORDS OF THE ARMY STAFF. 60 

Budgetary and Fiscal Offices. 60 

RG 153 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL 

(ARMY). 61 

Related Records. 62 

RG 159 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (ARMY) . 63 

Related Records. 65 

RG 203 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF FINANCE (ARMY) .... 65 

RG 80 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, 

1798-1947 . 66 

The Executive Office of the Secretary of the Navy . 67 

The Administrative Office. 69 

Office of Industrial Relations. 70 

Office of Budget and Reports . 72 

Office of the Fiscal Director. 74 

Office of Records Administration. 75 

Office of the Management Engineer . 75 

Navy Department Board of Decorations and Awards. 76 

Related Records. 76 

RG 24 RECORDS OF THE BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL. 76 

RG 125 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL 

(NAVY). 81 

RG 143 RECORDS OF THE BUREAU OF SUPPLIES AND ACCOUNTS (NAVY) . 83 

RG 127 RECORDS OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS . 85 

RELATED RECORDS. 88 

HI: MOBILIZATION AND TRAINING . 89 

INTRODUCTION. 89 

RG 147 RECORDS OF THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM, 1940-. 89 

National Headquarters. 91 

Lotteries . 92 

Conscientious Objectors. 92 

Appeals and Amnesties . 94 

Directives and Reports. 94 

Related Records. 96 

RG 165 RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL AND SPECIAL 

STAFFS. 97 

G-3 Division. 97 

The Army War College. 98 

The Command and General Staff School. 99 

War Department Manpower Board . 99 

Special Planning Division. 100 

RG 177 RECORDS OF THE CHIEFS OF ARMS . 101 

Related Records. 104 

ii 










































RG 168 RECORDS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU. 104 

Related Records. 106 

RG 337 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS ARMY GROUND FORCES . 106 

Related Records. 116 

RG 338 RECORDS OF U.S. ARMY COMMANDS, 1942-. 116 

Second Army . 116 

Corps. 117 

Schools, Centers, and Boards . 118 

RG 404 RECORDS OF THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY . 120 

Related Records. 124 

RG 319 RECORDS OF THE ARMY STAFF. 124 

Historical Materials . 124 

RG 160 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS ARMY SERVICE FORCES . 124 

Office of the Director of Military Training. 124 

The Officer Procurement Service. 126 

Military Personnel Division. 127 

RG 80 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, 

1798-1947 . 129 

Navy Manpower Survey Board. 129 

Special Assistants to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. 130 

RG 405 RECORDS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY . 130 

Related Records. 133 

Naval War College. 133 

RG 181 RECORDS OF NAVAL DISTRICTS AND SHORE ESTABLISHMENTS ... 133 
Related Records. 135 

APPENDIX A: EXPLANATION OF WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENT FILING 

SYSTEMS. 137 

The War Department Decimal Filing Scheme. 137 

The Navy Filing Manual . 139 

APPENDIX B: MICROFILMED RECORDS CITED. 143 

INDEX . 145 


iii 































PREFACE 


The public’s ability to assert a personal right, evaluate a federal activity or trace a national 
historical development is important, especially from a time of national crisis. Such is the focus of this 
Guide to Records Relating to U.S. Military Participation in World War II. The guide is part of a program 
that helps people inspect for themselves the records of what government has done by making it easier to 
locate and use essential documentary evidence. 

The descriptive program of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) comprises 
a variety of information products. These include inventories, lists, guides, and reference information 
papers that, increasingly, are being made available to researchers in electronic as well as paper-based 
formats. Information products of particular interest to users of this guide include: World War II on Film: 
A Catalog of Select Motion Pictures in the National Archives (1994); Audiovisual Records in the National 
Archives of the United States Relating to World War II (Reference Information Paper 70, Revised 1992); 
World War II Records in the Cartographic and Architectural Branch of the National Archives (Reference 
Information Paper 79, 1992); Records Relating to Personal Participation in World War II: "The 
American Soldier" Surveys (Reference Information Paper 78 (1991); Records Relating to Personal 
Participation in World War II: American Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees (Reference Information 
Paper 80, 1992); and Records Relating to Personal Participation in World War II: American Military 
Casualties and Burials (Reference Information Paper 82, 1993). A comprehensive source of information 
about the archival holdings of NARA is the Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the 
United States. The text of this guide and many other NARA information products can be browsed 
electronically by accessing NARA's Web site at http://www.nara.gov. 

NARA’s mission is to ensure ready access to the essential evidence that documents the rights of 
American citizens, the actions of federal officials, and the national experience. We hope that all of our 
information products will help citizens to more easily use the resources held in trust for them, and we 
welcome suggestions for ways to enhance our services. 


John W. Carlin 

Archivist of the United States 


v 

























INTRODUCTION 


The purpose of this guide is to assist the 
researcher in locating within the National Ar¬ 
chives of the United States those records that 
document American military (including naval) 
participation in World War II. These include 
records of combined Allied staffs and organiza¬ 
tions; U.S. Army and Navy administrative and 
operational headquarters, logistical and technical 
services, and field commands (including Army 
Air Forces headquarters and commands); and 
some civilian agencies involved in war produc¬ 
tion, scientific research and development, and 
intelligence collection and evaluation. Although 
these materials emphasize the period December 
1941-September 1945, extensive documentation 
of the interwar and pre-Pearl Harbor period is 
also included. The guide also identifies, where 
such information is available, pertinent Federal 
records still in agency custody, and locations of 
other closely related materials (for example, 
personal papers of key figures). The guide is 
not, however, a comprehensive listing of every 
document bearing on the subject. 

The National Archives comprises permanent¬ 
ly valuable records of the Federal Government. 
They are housed in facilities in the Washington, 
DC, area, in 12 regional Federal archives, and 
in Presidential libraries. Most of the records 
described in this guide are scheduled for transfer 
to the National Archives at College Park, MD, 
by 1996. 

This guide supplements the two-volume 
guide published by the National Archives in 
1950: Federal Records of World War II, espe¬ 
cially Volume II: Military Agencies. The latter's 
administrative histories remain the most compre¬ 
hensive, although those provided here reflect the 
most recently available information. Where 
Federal Records of World War II emphasized the 
functions and activities of specific agencies and 
subordinate offices to describe records created 
during the war, this guide focuses on the perma¬ 
nently valuable records that have been trans¬ 


ferred to the National Archives. The total vol¬ 
ume of material described amounts to approxi¬ 
mately 200,000 cubic feet. 

The archives are administered by the Nation¬ 
al Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA), which assigns each document to a 
numerical record group (RG), NARA's basic 
unit of arrangement. A record group most fre¬ 
quently consists of the records of a single agen¬ 
cy, such as the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, RG 
218. The records of the head of an executive 
department and units with departmentwide 
responsibilities may be assigned to a general 
record group, such as the General Records of the 
Department of the Navy, RG 80, or Records of 
the Office of the Secretary of War, RG 107. 
Records of a number of agencies are sometimes 
brought together on the basis of similar function 
or other relationship. Examples of such collec¬ 
tive record groups are Records of Allied Opera¬ 
tional and Occupation Headquarters, RG 331, 
and Records of United States Army Commands, 
1942- , RG 338. Records collected by an agen¬ 
cy, rather than created in the course of business, 
form another type of record group, such as the 
National Archives Collection of Seized Enemy 
Records, 1942- , RG 242. 

Because archivists sometimes adjust the 
boundaries of record groups to facilitate admin¬ 
istration of records, record group allocations 
may change. This guide describes records in 
approximately 60 of the more than 500 record 
groups in NARA custody. 

NARA endeavors to keep records in the 
order in which they were maintained by the 
creating agency, in the belief that this best 
preserves their integrity and interrelationships. 
The agency filing systems were designed for 
administrative purposes and not for the benefit of 
future researchers. This guide seeks to assist 
subject-oriented researchers in understanding the 
complexities of the recordkeeping systems and in 


1 


Introduction 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


locating relevant material among the vast quanti¬ 
ties of records. 

The information is organized in parts that 
comprise topical chapters reflecting aspects of 
the U.S. wartime effort. Part 1 includes chapters 
I (Central Planning and Strategy), II (Adminis¬ 
tering the Defense Establishment), and III 
(Mobilization and Training). Pertinent segments 
of a record group are described together within 
a chapter. Most record groups are described in 
their entirety in a single chapter, but there are 
notable exceptions. For example, chapter I in¬ 
cludes subsections that describe wartime records 
of the War Department's Chief of Staff, War 
Plans Division, Operations and Plans Division, 
and Civil Affairs Division, all of which are 
located among the Records of War Department 
General and Special Staffs, RG 165. Other 
records in RG 165 are described in chapters II 
and III in part 1 as well as in chapters V (Guard¬ 
ing the Home Base), VII (Scientific and Techno¬ 
logical Development), VIII (Intelligence), X 
(War in the Air), XI (Ground War in Europe) 
and XIII (Ground War in Asiatic/Pacific The¬ 
aters) in subsequent parts of the guide. 

Within each chapter, record groups are 
arranged according to hierarchy of authority. 
Thus the records of combined (Allied) and joint 
(Army-Navy) organizations and headquarters 
take precedence over War or Navy Department 
records, records of the Secretary of War precede 
records of the War Department General Staff, 
and records of an army group headquarters 
precede those of subordinate armies and corps. 
Descriptions of related records appear either at 
the end of a chapter or are integrated within the 
chapter's record descriptions. Each chapter 
includes an introduction. 

The subject and functional arrangement of 
record groups and record group segments within 
chapters inevitably involves some subjectivity. 
For example, the Records of the Office of the 
Chief of Ordnance, RG 156, include information 
on the procurement of weapons (the subject of 
chapter IV), weapons research and development 
(chapter VII), and intelligence assessments of 


enemy ordnance (chapter VIII), but as all these 
activities are subordinated to the Office's chief 
function as a technical support service, all of RG 
156 is described in chapter VI (Support and 
Services). For the same reason, all of the Re¬ 
cords of Army Air Forces, RG 18, are described 
in chapter X (War in the Air), although the 
records also document aircraft production and 
procurement, airplane research and development, 
selection and training of pilots and aircrewmen, 
and intelligence on enemy aircraft and tactics. 

Within record groups, the basic archival unit 
of control for records is the series, which is a 
body of records arranged in some serial order or 
logically grouped together for some other rea¬ 
son. In this guide, the series constitutes the most 
common level of description, and always appears 
in boldface type (e.g., formerly security-classi¬ 
fied correspondence, 1942-45). Each series is 
identified by title, date span, volume, arrange¬ 
ment pattern, and general contents. Representa¬ 
tive and specific examples of subject matter 
documentation are provided for every major 
series. In some cases of extensive documenta¬ 
tion, the basic unit of description is the sub¬ 
group; i.e., several series of related records, 
usually those of a subordinate administrative 
unit. Records not yet declassified are noted. 
Wherever a record group has been divided 
among two or more chapters for description, 
each segment includes one or more complete 
series not described elsewhere. 

The volume statements for specific series and 
subgroups are given in linear or cubic feet 
(approximately 2,500 pages = 1 cubic foot). 
The volume statements for some series reflect 
precise measurements; for many large series, 
volume statements represent estimates. The 
figures provided in this guide are consistent with 
the measurements recorded in the NARA finding 
aids for each particular record group. The 
volume statements therefore indicate the relative 
size of a series or subgroup, rather than a specif¬ 
ic measurement. 

A focus of this guide is the interrelationship 
of the many records remaining from the wartime 


2 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Introduction 


period. Descriptions of some records series, or 
collections of series, are supplemented by refer¬ 
ences to other directly related records that either 
are in other record groups in the National Ar¬ 
chives or are in other repositories, and, where 
pertinent, to records described elsewhere in the 
guide. Documentation of damage suffered by 
American battleships during the Japanese attack 
on Pearl Harbor, for example, is divided among 
Records of the Bureau of Ships, RG 19, de¬ 
scribed in chapter IV, the Records of Naval 
Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 181, 
chapter V, and the Records of the Bureau of 
Ordnance (Navy), RG 74, chapter VI. 

This guide covers records that have been 
fully processed. Every effort has been made to 
identify pertinent materials, but it is possible that 
future processing will reveal documents hidden 
from this review. Many wartime records still in 
agency custody when guide descriptions were 
prepared will be accessioned by NARA over the 
next ten years. Some of the larger collective 
record groups (for example, Records of U.S. 
Army Commands, 1942-, RG 338), may also be 
reorganized by NARA to facilitate intellectual 
control of their contents. 

The guide also includes references to records 
that were security-classified at the time the 
record item descriptions were prepared. Many of 
these records have since been declassified. 
Researchers should consult with the appropriate 
custodial unit regarding the current status of 
records identified as security-classified in guide. 

During the war, most War Department 
(including Army Air Forces) recordkeeping 
offices employed a decimal classification scheme 
for organizing their records. Most Navy organi¬ 
zations relied on a complex alpha-numeric 
classification system known as the Navy Filing 
Manual. Explanations of both systems are 
provided in Appendix A. 

The descriptions in this guide reflect a 
mixture of stylistic conventions and terminology 
used during the World War II period with those 
in use today. For example, the use of the desig¬ 
nation "top secret" has been retained in place of 


the more current form "top-secret," but the more 
common abbreviation POWs (prisoners of war) 
is used in place of the World War II abbrevia¬ 
tion P/Ws. The guide also reflects the Army’s 
use of both the "Women's Auxiliary Army 
Corps" (WAAC) and "Women's Army Corps" 
(WAC, formally acknowledged as the successor 
to the WAAC in July 1943). 

Most of the records described in the guide 
are readily available, and researchers are not 
required to make arrangements in advance to 
consult them. Some records, however, remain 
subject to national security restrictions or war¬ 
rant withholding for reasons of personal privacy. 
Access to other records may be interrupted 
temporarily while they are being microfilmed or 
copied electrostatically. It is suggested, there¬ 
fore, that before traveling to visit a repository, 
researchers write and describe as specifically as 
possible the subject of their interest and the 
records they wish to consult. 

Citations are given for published finding 
aids. A number of the records described are 
available as NARA microfilm publications, and 
citations are also provided to many of these 
publications by M or T number. See Appendix 
B. Often the microfilm publications are accom¬ 
panied by descriptive pamphlets, which may give 
more detailed information about the records than 
this guide or the inventories. Most microfilm 
publications are listed in National Archives 
Microfilm Resources for Research: A Compre¬ 
hensive Catalog (Washington, DC, 1986). 

This guide is limited to descriptions of 
textual records, except where photographs, 
maps, and other audiovisual materials have been 
integrated within series of textual records. The 
principal collections of World War II nontextual 
records in NARA custody are separately de¬ 
scribed in NARA Reference Information Paper 
70 (Revised), Audiovisual Records in the Nation¬ 
al Archives of the United States Relating to 
World War II, and NARA Reference Information 
Paper 79, World War II Records in the Carto¬ 
graphic and Architectural Branch of the National 
Archives. 


3 


Introduction 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


More specialized in nature are several 
NARA reference information papers that de¬ 
scribe Federal records relating to personal 
participation in World War II. These include 
'The American Soldier' Surveys (RIP 78), Ameri¬ 
can Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees 
(RIP 80), Casualties and Burials (RIP 82), and 
Awards and Decorations (forthcoming). 

Several other publications furnish additional 
or more detailed information pertinent to World 
War II topics: Guide to American Women and 
the Armed Forces: A Guide to the Records of 
Military Agencies in the National Archives 
Relating to American Women (Washington, DC, 
1992), Black History: A Guide to Civilian 
Records in the National Archives (Washington, 
DC, 1984), Guide to Records of the United 
States Senate at the National Archives (Washing¬ 
ton, DC, 1989), and Guide to the Records of the 
House of Representatives at the National Ar¬ 
chives (Washington, DC, 1989). As a general 
source of information on National Archives 
records, particularly for those wartime civilian 
agencies not described in this guide, researchers 
should consult the comprehensive Guide to the 
National Archives of the United States , a new 
edition of which is in press at this writing. 

Several publications document the proceed¬ 
ings of pertinent historical conferences hosted by 


the National Archives, including Robert Wolfe, 
ed., Captured German and Related Records 
(Athens, OH, 1974); James E. O’Neill and 
Robert W. Krauskopf, eds., World War II: An 
Account of Its Documents (Washington, DC, 
1976); and George C. Chalou, ed., The Secrets 
War: The Office of Strategic Services in World 
War II (Washington, DC, 1992). Captured 
German military and political records from the 
World War II period, located in the National 
Archives Collection of Seized Enemy Records, 
1942- , RG 242, are systematically described in 
Guides to German Records Microfilmed at 
Alexandria, VA (Washington, DC, 1956-pres¬ 
ent); German diplomatic records for this period 
are described in A Catalog of Files and Micro¬ 
films of the German Foreign Ministry Archives 
1920-1945 (Stanford, CA, 1962-72). 

At different times during the preparation of 
this guide NARA staff members Patrice Brown 
and Michael Lewandowski provided valuable 
assistance. The staff members of the Military 
and General Reference Branches, particularly 
Richard Boylan and his associates, greatly 
assisted in the identification and description of 
pertinent records. The Records Declassification 
Division contributed both information and 
specific actions regarding declassification of 
pertinent records. 


4 


I: CENTRAL PLANNING AND STRATEGY 


INTRODUCTION 

1.1 This chapter describes U.S. military 
records relating to Allied central planning and 
strategy during World War II. Subjects include 
the formulation of grand strategy for the overall 
conduct of the war, the coordination of opera¬ 
tional strategy in the various theaters of opera¬ 
tions, relations among the Allied powers, the 
determination of manpower and logistical re¬ 
quirements and allocations to meet strategic 
objectives, and the military's participation in 
such internal policy issues as the use of African- 
Americans in military service and the evacuation 
of Japanese-Americans from the west coast. The 
records typically were created or maintained by 
Washington headquarters of agencies and organi¬ 
zations. Although the records are fairly limited 
in volume, they have great significance for the 
study of the direction of the American war 
effort. 

1.2 As these records are composed, for the 
most part, of central correspondence files and 
message collections, information can be found in 
them on virtually all major aspects of the war. 
Reports and messages often detail the actual 
conduct of operations, and directly supplement 
the field command records described in chapters 
IX-XII. Information relating to scientific re¬ 
search and development ahd extensive intelli¬ 
gence data complement the records described in 
chapters VII and VIII, respectively. In brief, the 
records described in this chapter directly relate 
to the subject matter of the records described in 
all subsequent chapters, and should be consulted 
in association with the latter. 

1.3 Because of the significance of these 
records, the level of description provided extends 
to the series and even the subseries level. All 
record items are described according to series or 
subseries title, date span, volume, arrangement 
pattern, and general contents. Specific examples 
of subject matter are also provided. 


RG 107 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
THE SECRETARY OF WAR 

The Secretary of War 

1.4 The Office of the Secretary of War 
(OS/W) and most of its World War II records 
are described in chapters II and IV. The Secre¬ 
tary of War was only indirectly involved in the 
conduct of wartime planning and strategy, but 
several series of records reflect that participation 
and constitute significant source material for 
policy issues. 

1.5 Secretary of War [Henry L.] Stimson's 
formerly top secret correspondence ("Safe 
File"), July 1940-September 1945 (6 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject, covers nu¬ 
merous topics and individuals involved in the 
war effort. Files "War Plans," "ARGONAUT," 
and "Potsdam" are most relevant for strategic 
planning. Files "Germany" and "Japan" docu¬ 
ment surrender terms and postwar planning for 
those powers. Information on the strength and 
organization of the Army Air Forces is scattered 
among files "Aircraft," "Air Force," "Big 
Bomber Program," and "Memoranda and Corre¬ 
spondence. " Stimson's correspondence with key 
individuals is contained in files for the latter 
(including, for example, Averell Harriman, 
Dwight Eisenhower, and Douglas Mac Arthur); 
extensive correspondence exchanged between 
Stimson and President Roosevelt, June 1940- 
September 1945, is located in "White House 
Correspondence." A file plan is included at the 
beginning of the series. 

1.6 Stimson's correspondence ("Official 
File"), 1940-1945 (5 ft.), relates much less to 
sensitive topics. It is arranged alphabetically by 
a mixture of subject and alpha-numeric files, the 
latter usually comprising miscellaneous corre¬ 
spondence with several individuals. Many of the 
files relate to Army training or support services 
(e.g., "Army Specialized Training Program," 


5 



Record Group 107 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


"Morale (Special Services),” "Officer Candidate 
Schools," "San Diego, Cal. Vocational Train¬ 
ing," "Welfare and Recreation"). As with the 
formerly top secret correspondence, several files 
under "Hearings" document Stimson's relations 
with Congress over specific legislation affecting 
the military. Files under the headings of "Radio 
Addresses" and "Statements" and under the 
names of organizations (e.g., "A.F. of L. - New 
Orleans, Nov. 18, 1940") contain many of 
Stimson's public statements. A file plan is 
included at the beginning of the series. 

1.7 Stimson's records also include formerly 
security-classified reports and minutes of 
meetings of the Combined Chiefs of Staff and 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1942-43 (1 ft ), 
arranged chronologically, relating to staff con¬ 
ferences held in Washington, Casablanca, Al¬ 
giers, and Quebec, January 1942-August 1943. 
The Secretary of War's appointment books, 
1940-46 (1 ft.), arranged chronologically, com¬ 
prise printed annual appointment books with 
handwritten entries concerning the Secretary's 
appointments, including the name and title or 
occupation of visitor, visitor's time of arrival 
and departure, subject or purpose of the meeting, 
and notations as to the Secretary's daily times of 
arrival and departure and his evening social 
engagements. 

1.8 Among the records maintained by Stim¬ 
son's successor, the most significant is Robert 
B. Patterson's formerly top secret correspon¬ 
dence ("Safe File"), September 1945-July 1947 
(3 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject. 
Valuable information is found here on the devel¬ 
opment of the atomic bomb (file "Atomic Ener¬ 
gy"), U.S. biological warfare research (file 
"Biological Warfare"), general research and 
development (file "Scientific Research"), and 
U.S. occupation policies (files "Germany" and 
"Japan"). A file plan is included at the beginning 
of the series. 

1.9 Patterson' s formerly security-classified 
correspondence, February 1946-July 1947 (4 

ft.), is arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal classification scheme, followed by 


six subject ("project") files. The relevant subject 
matter is very similar to that of the preceding 
series, but less involved with policy issues. 
Information on the development of the atomic 
bomb is located in file 471.6, on biological 
warfare research in file 385, and on postwar 
occupation policies in Germany in the "coun¬ 
tries" project file. In addition, assessments of 
Soviet-German relations, 1939-41, are located in 
file 092.2, while some records of the Army 
Pearl Harbor Board can be found in file 334. An 
index is provided by cross-reference sheets to 
Secretary of War Patterson's security-classi¬ 
fied correspondence, February 1946-July 1947 
(1 ft.), arranged according to the decimal classi¬ 
fication scheme with a separate subject index 
(alphabetical) for the project files. 

1.10 Harvey H. Bundy, a special assistant 
to the Secretary of War from April 1941 to 
September 1945, served as one of Stimson's 
closest advisers on policy and procedural mat¬ 
ters. Formerly security-classified records of 
Special Assistant Harvey H. Bundy, 1941-45 
(7 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, 
particularly reflect Bundy's role as liaison officer 
with American scientists and educators. Of 
particular note are: Intelligence data on German 
V-l and V-2 weapons (file "German Rockets"); 
information on the organization and functions of 
the New Developments Division, War Depart¬ 
ment Special Staff (file "New Developments 
Division"); reports on the use of analytical 
operational research by the Army Air Forces, 
1942-45 (file "Operations Analysis"); and data 
on the Army's treatment of psychoneurotic 
disorders (files "Neuropsychiatric Problems" and 
" Psychoneurotics"). 

1.11 Bundy' s records documenting his role 
as liaison between OS/W and Brig. Gen. Leslie 
Groves, director of the Manhattan Project 
(atomic bomb research), are located among the 
"Harrison-Bundy Files" of the Records of the 
Office of the Chief of Engineers, RG 77, de¬ 
scribed in chapter VII. 

1.12 The Secretary of War also main¬ 
tained formerly security-classified reports, 


6 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 107 


1940-45 (1 ft.), a collection of 14 reports and 
studies prepared by various Army offices. These 
include a study of the American bombing attacks 
on Dresden, 1944-45; a report on German 
preparations for the V-l rocket campaign, May 
1944; an assessment of the possibility of a 
Soviet-German separate peace, January 1943; a 
review of the adequacy of the Army's field 
artillery program, May 1944; and an estimate of 
the necessary aircraft production to assure air 
supremacy, September 1942. 

1.13 Additional official correspondence of 
the Office of the Secretary of War is described 
in chapter II. The records of expert consultants 
to the Secretary of War are described in chapter 
VII. The personal papers of Henry L. Stimson 
are in the custody of the Yale University Li¬ 
brary. Robert P. Patterson's papers are in the 
custody of the Manuscript Division, Library of 
Congress. 

The Assistant Secretary of War 

1.14 The Office of the Assistant Secretary 
of War, as reconstituted in December 1940, was 
responsible for general administrative functions 
and for special tasks assigned by the Secretary of 
War. John J. McCloy, who occupied the post 
from April 1941 to November 1945, effectively 
served as the top-level adviser to the Secretary 
on such policy matters as military government in 
occupied areas, war crimes, lend-lease, black 
Americans in military service (in which he was 
assisted by a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of 
War), and the evacuation of Japanese-Americans 
from the west coast. In March 1945 the Assistant 
Secretary assumed general administrative direc¬ 
tion over military personnel involved in the 
prosecution of Axis war crimes. McCloy was 
replaced in December 1945 by Howard Petersen, 
who held the position until July 1947. 

1.15 Four series comprise the records of 
this office during McCloy's tenure. John J. 
McCloy's formerly security-classified corre¬ 
spondence, 1941-45 (21 ft.), arranged according 
to the War Department decimal scheme, is most 


significant for the documentation of policy. 
Information concerning the internment of Japa- 
nese-Americans in relocation centers can be 
found in file 254; reports on the recruitment and 
morale of Japanese-Americans in military service 
are in 342.18 and 353.8. File 400.336 provides 
extensive data on lend-lease aid. File 291.2 
documents the condition, treatment, and military 
use of African-Americans. File 383.6 includes 
information on the conditions and treatment of 
Axis and American prisoners of war and on the 
repatriation of German prisoners of Soviet 
nationality to the USSR. Also included is data on 
the apprehension and prosecution of Axis war 
criminals (files 000.5, 000.51, 000.52, and 
020.2); the bombing of Germany and Japan 
(384.3); and surrender and occupation policies 
for Germany and Japan (370.8, 387, and 387.4). 

1.16 The alphabetically arranged formerly 
security-classified correspondence of John J. 
McCloy serves as a name and title index, 1941- 
45 (3 ft.), to the preceding series. It is arranged 
alphabetically by surname or title of the corre¬ 
spondent or of the person who is the subject of 
the correspondence; countries or regions are 
included alphabetically under a separate "geo¬ 
graphical" entry. Most of the series consists of 
letters duplicated in the classified correspon¬ 
dence, annotated to indicate the appropriate 
decimal file number. In addition, the series 
includes some original documents concerning 
U.S. foreign policy (filed under "geographical") 
and some Civil Affairs Division reports, May 
1943-January 1946 (file "McCloy's Permanent 
File"). 

1.17 McCloy's general correspondence, 
1941-45 (28 ft.), also arranged according to the 
War Department decimal scheme, deals primari¬ 
ly with the same topics as the classified corre¬ 
spondence but is less related to policy issues. 
Data regarding war crimes trials can be found in 
files 000.5, 000.51, and 000.52; 291.2 includes 
information on the Army's recruitment, training, 
and treatment of African-Americans; U.S. 
policies in occupied Germany are described in 
370.8. Reports on conditions and operations at 


7 



Record Group 107 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Japanese-American assembly and relocation 
centers are located in file 254, while 342.18 
contains information on the recruitment, training, 
and combat record of Japanese-Americans in 
military service (including the 442d Regimental 
Combat Team). 

1.18 Serving as a name and title index, 
1941-45 (8 ft.), to the preceding series is the 
alphabetically arranged general correspondence 
of John J. McCloy. Consisting of carbon copies 
or summaries of letters and memorandums sent 
or received by McCloy, the records are arranged 
alphabetically by organizational unit, surname or 
title of correspondent or of the person who is the 
subject of the correspondence; correspondence 
with War Department officials is filed under 
"War Department" and thereunder alphabetical¬ 
ly. Included in the series (filed under "Procure¬ 
ment-Current Reports") are some original week¬ 
ly reports regarding munitions production, 
August 1940-April 1941. 

1.19 The records of McCloy's successor, 
Howard Petersen, generally concern postwar 
issues but include scattered documentation 
relevant to World War II. Petersen's formerly 
security-classified office file, 1945-47 (1 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject or title, 
includes reports on conditions in China and 
Germany in 1946 (files "China Trip" and "Euro¬ 
pean Trip") and a historical summary of wartime 
interservice cooperation (file "Report to the 
Secretary of War on Common Activities of the 
Army and Navy"). His formerly top secret 
correspondence, September 1946-August 1947 
(1 ft.), and formerly security-classified and 
unclassified correspondence, December 1945- 
August 1947 (17 ft.), both arranged according to 
the War Department decimal scheme, provide 
information on civil affairs in occupied Germany 
and Japan (decimals 091 Germany and 091 
Japan), the repatriation of German prisoners of 
war (383.6), and the recruitment of German and 
Austrian scientists to work in the United States 
(211). The latter series includes extensive data 
on Axis war crimes trials (file 000.5), repara¬ 
tions and economic controls in Germany and 


Japan (387), and the development of the atomic 
bomb (471.6). This series is indexed by Peter¬ 
sen's cross-reference sheets to the formerly 
security-classified correspondence, September 
1946-August 1947, in which subjects are also 
arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. 

1.20 Attached to the Office of the Assis¬ 
tant Secretary of War was the Office of the 
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War, estab¬ 
lished in November 1940 to facilitate the inte¬ 
gration of blacks into the Army. During World 
War II the Civilian Aide advised the Secretary 
on policies and practices in this field, including 
the appointment of blacks to military arms and 
services, the use of black officers, doctors, 
dentists, and chaplains, the training of black 
officers and enlisted men, the provision of 
special recreational and entertainment facilities, 
and the elimination of discrimination in the 
appointment and promotion of civilian personnel 
in the War Department. Serving successively as 
Civilian Aide were William H. Hastie, Truman 
K. Gibson, Marcus H. Ray, and James C. 
Evans. 

1.21 The Civilian Aide's general corre¬ 
spondence ("Judge Hastie File"), 1940-48 (35 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, relate 
primarily to the conditions of blacks serving in 
military units and at U.S. Army installations. 
Included are many letters from black soldiers 
and their family members and from officials of 
black organizations. War Department assess¬ 
ments of the contents of African-American 
publications can be found in files "Negro Press" 
and "Press Analyses"; correspondence with black 
leaders is generally filed under the name of the 
representative organization (e.g., file "NAACP") 
or special interest group (e.g., file "Press"). The 
file "The Negro Soldier" consists of requests for, 
and comments on, a War Department film of 
that name which describes the achievements of 
black soldiers during the war. Records concern¬ 
ing discrimination or racial incidents are filed 
according to the geographic location or name of 
the office, bureau, or service in which the 


8 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 107 


alleged discrimination or incident occurred. 
Requests for transfers, appointments, or promo¬ 
tions are filed under the name of the office or 
branch of service involved rather than by indi¬ 
vidual. 

1.22 Formerly security-classified reports 
and memorandums concerning race relations 
at home and overseas, 1944-46 (2 ft.), are 
arranged according to type of report or memo¬ 
randum and thereunder chronologically. They 
consist of (1) summaries or extracts of service 
command weekly intelligence reports, August 
1944-January 1946, describing racial incidents, 
activities of African-American organizations, 
crimes committed, public statements by black 
leaders, and attitude and performance of black 
soldiers; (2) intelligence reports prepared by the 
Intelligence Division, Army Service Forces 
(ASF) and the War Department General Staff, 
August 1944-August 1945, summarizing inter¬ 
views with ASF personnel returning from over¬ 
seas duty concerning the performance, attitudes, 
and social status of black soldiers overseas; (3) 
memorandums reporting racial incidents in the 
United States, August 1944-December 1945; and 
(4) a November 1944 report by the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation on alleged foreign- 
inspired agitation among African-Americans in 
Los Angeles. 


RG 80 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, 
1798-1947 

1.23 World War II records of the Depart¬ 
ment of the Navy largely derive from the Office 
of the Secretary of the Navy, supplemented by 
records of subordinate offices and of boards and 
commissions on which the Secretary was repre¬ 
sented. The administrative history and most 
records of this Office are described in chapter II. 
Although the Secretary of the Navy was not 
directly involved in naval strategy, his responsi¬ 
bilities did include planning and policy issues 


within the Navy Department. The records most 
pertinent to these issues are described here. 

The Secretary of the Navy 

1.24 The office file of Secretary of the 
Navy Frank Knox, 1940-44 (20 ft.), arranged 
according to a subject-numeric system (1-1 to 
98-3), was retained for the Secretary's conve¬ 
nience when the Office of the Secretary's general 
correspondence files (described in chapter II) 
were removed to another building. Most of the 
correspondence is of a more personal nature than 
that in the general correspondence, relating to a 
variety of subjects. The correspondence is 
especially useful for demonstrating Knox's 
relationships with his senior naval officers. 
Included, for example, is Knox's correspondence 
with Adm. Chester Nimitz, Commander in 
Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, on the selection of 
officers of rear admiral grade (file 62-1-17). Of 
particular note are the following general topics: 
Anglo-American agreements on the U.S. leasing 
of naval bases on British Commonwealth territo¬ 
ry (3-1-34); American coastal security and 
antisubmarine warfare (83-2); the proposed 
court-martial of Adm. Husband E. Kimmel, 
former Commander in Chief, United States 
Fleet, after Pearl Harbor (57-1-31); discrimina¬ 
tion and disturbances involving African-Ameri¬ 
cans in connection with Navy activities and 
functions (54-2); and the death and funeral 
services of Secretary Knox, April 1944 (1-1-59). 
At the end of the series is a collection of letters 
from individuals requesting appointments as 
naval officers, arranged alphabetically by name. 

1.25 Use of this series is hindered by the 
lack of finding aids. There is no key or guide to 
the subject-numeric filing system, nor is there a 
general subject index. The index to the office 
file of Secretary Frank Knox, 1940-44 (6 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically, indexes only the names 
of correspondents. Thereunder, the cards of this 
index provide the file number, date, and abstract 
of contents for each letter. 


9 



Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


1.26 The office file of Secretary of the 
Navy James V. Forrestal, 1944-47 (66 ft.), also 
is arranged according to a numeric-subject 
scheme (1-1 through 104-1). It differs from 
Secretary Knox's office file in its scope, and in 
its focus on the postwar years. The series docu¬ 
ments the involvement and intercession of the 
Secretary in routine administrative and personnel 
issues; e.g., classification 56 pertains to the 
appointment, assignment, and retirement of naval 
officers. The Secretary's participation in the 
activities of Navy, Army-Navy, and intra-gov- 
ernmental committees and boards is documented 
in classification 15; budgetary and other financial 
issues are the subject of 18. Classification 43 
details lend-lease and reciprocal aid exchanged 
between the United States and other Allied 
Powers. Proposed organizational changes within 
the Navy and within the structure of the armed 
forces are detailed in file 8-1-3. Information 
regarding the role of African-Americans in the 
Navy can be found in 54-1. Correspondence 
pertaining to the various investigations into the 
attack on Pearl Harbor is located in 13-1-2. At 
the beginning of the series is a collection of 
Forrestal's speeches and some biographical data 
on senior officials within the Office of the 
Secretary. 

1.27 The series also reflects Forrestal's 
continued interest in war production, in which he 
had been involved as Under Secretary of the 
Navy. The awarding, termination, and renegotia¬ 
tion of Navy contracts with private firms is 
documented in classification 29. Labor strikes at 
plants under Navy contract and in the merchant 
marine are detailed in classification 42; file 42-2 
provides information on the Federal administra¬ 
tion of strike-threatened coal mines. The rela¬ 
tionship of the Navy with American business is 
further evidenced by studies conducted by the 
latter in assessing the performance of the former 
in classification 67 (e.g., the study of naval 
logistics prepared by General Motors Corp. and 
the U.S. Steel Corp., October 1944, file 
67-1-31). 


1.28 Also in contrast to Secretary Knox’s 
office file is the index to Secretary Forrestal's 
office file, 1944-47 (5 ft.), which is primarily an 
alphabetically arranged subject index. The 
subjects include individual correspondents, 
organizations, general topics, and geographic 
locations. Each index card provides the file 
number, date, and abstract of the document 
contents for each subject. The index includes a 
subject key to the numeric file designations. 

1.29 Two series closely related to Secre¬ 
tary Forrestal's office file pertain primarily to 
the early postwar period, but include some 
World War II materials. The formerly security- 
classified reference files, 1945-48 (4 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject, consist of 
reports and publications received by the Secre¬ 
tary. Included are "Battle Experience" reports 
detailing U.S. Navy support for the amphibious 
landings in Normandy, the Mariana Islands, and 
Iwo Jima, June 1944-February 1945; a survey of 
guided missiles, May 1945; a three-volume study 
of the coordination of procurement between the 
Army and the Navy, February 1945; and U.S. 
Strategic Bombing Survey reports of ships' 
bombardments of specific industrial targets along 
the Japanese coast, July-August 1945. 

1.30 The second series, minutes of meet¬ 
ings of the Top Policy Group, November 
1944-Sept ember 1947 (2 ft.), arranged numeri¬ 
cally by meeting (1-83), document weekly 
discussions of Secretary Forrestal and his chief 
civilian and military assistants on major adminis¬ 
trative and operational problems confronting the 
Navy. Topics discussed include organizational 
changes within the Navy (Nos. 1-3 and 12), 
naval logistics and procurement (8 and 17), and 
personnel requirements (13-25). A list of the 
dates and agenda of the meetings, and a name 
index to persons making presentations to the 
group, are located at the beginning of the series. 

1.31 In addition to the official correspon¬ 
dence described here and in chapter II, the 
personal papers of Frank Knox are in the custo¬ 
dy of the Manuscript Division of the Library of 
Congress; some additional materials are held by 


10 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

the Operational Archives, Naval Historical 
Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, 
DC. James V. Forrestal’s personal papers are in 
the Princeton University Library, Princeton, NJ; 
some additional materials (including a copy of 
his diary, 1944-49), are also at the Operational 
Archives, Naval Historical Center. 


The Assistant Secretary of the Navy 

1.32 Records of Assistant (later Under) 
Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bard are described 
for the most part in chapter IV. His responsibili¬ 
ties, however, extended to investigations of 
alleged discrimination against American blacks 
in the Navy or in plants under Navy contract. 
This work occupied the attentions of one of 
Bard's special assistants, Addison Walker, until 
the latter's departure in September 1942. The 
records that resulted from the investigations 
focus only on the period 1941-43 and are far less 
comprehensive than those of the Secretary of 
War, RG 107, described in this chapter. 

1.33 The Assistant Secretary's correspon¬ 
dence relating to discrimination in the Navy, 
1941-44 (less than 1 ft.), consists of seven 
subject files pertaining to Navy recruitment of, 
and alleged job and transportation discrimination 
against, African- Americans, Seventh Day 
Adventists, and other ethnic and religious 
groups. Included is considerable material on 
mess attendant Dorie Miller, decorated for 
heroism in action at Pearl Harbor. Two addition¬ 
al series of correspondence maintained by Spe¬ 
cial Assistant Addison Walker, 1941-43 (totaling 
1 ft.), further document these topics, as well as 
the establishment of a Navy contract school at 
Hampton Institute for technical training of blacks 
in the Navy. 

General Board 

1.34 The General Board of the U.S. Navy 
was established in March 1900 as an embryonic 
naval general staff to insure efficient preparation 


Record Group 80 

of the fleet and of the naval defense of American 
territory in the event of war. Prior to World 
War I the Board developed war plans for the 
strategic deployment of naval forces. From 1915 
through the end of World War II, however, the 
General Board's powers steadily diminished to 
the advantage of the Chief of Naval Operations. 
The General Board nevertheless continued to 
examine international developments and events, 
analyze their implications, and help formulate 
the Navy's responses and policies throughout this 
period. The General Board continued to advise 
the Secretary of the Navy until its dissolution on 
January 31, 1951. 

1.35 Records of the General Board, 
totaling 238 ft., are particularly significant for 
information regarding international naval treaties 
and arms limitations agreements during the 
interwar period, for developments in warship 
technology within the Navy, and for the overall 
state of the U.S. Navy at the time of entry into 
World War II. During the war the General 
Board continued its involvement in warship 
technology, but on a reduced scale. Described 
below are those series of General Board records 
most pertinent to the prewar and wartime periods 
of activity. 

1.36 Proceedings of the General Board, 
1900-50 (6 ft.), consist only of brief statements 
of the dates, times, members present, and topics 
of discussions of General Board meetings. Far 
more significant are the hearings of the General 
Board, 1900-50 (11 ft.), which provide verbatim 
transcripts of the discussions held during the 
meetings. Arranged chronologically, the bound 
and paginated volumes of hearings for each year 
are indexed according to subjects discussed and 
names of individuals who testified at General 
Board meetings (the hearings for 1943-44 and 
1945-47 are bound together). 

1.37 For the 1940-42 period, the hearings 
are particularly rich in such information as 
developments and plans regarding warship design 
and construction, naval aviation needs, research 
and development of weapons technology, and 
expanded Navy and Marine Corps personnel 


11 




Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


requirements. Specific examples of discussions 
include the planned 1942 construction program 
and design improvements for submarines (July 
11, 1940); the overall Navy shipbuilding pro¬ 
gram for 1942 (May 8, 1940); the establishment 
of naval scientific and technological research 
policy (March 11, 1941); improvements in the 
design and armament of destroyers (August 6 
and October 28, 1941, and April 13, 1942); and 
additional underwater protection for battleships 
(November 16, 1942). Similar discussions of the 
General Board for the 1935-39 period are also 
crucial for an understanding of the condition of 
the Navy at war's outbreak. The proceedings and 
hearings of the General Board, together with 
pertinent finding aids to these records, have been 
microfilmed as National Archives Microfilm 
Publication M1493. 

1.38 The proceedings and hearings are 
supplemented by the General Board's subject 
files, 1900-47 (100 ft.). These are arranged 
numerically by study number (401 through 453), 
each corresponding to a general subject; thereun¬ 
der documents are arranged chronologically. The 
general subjects include descriptions of activities 
(e.g., study no. 401 concerns General Board 
office procedures and organization), categories 
of information (e.g., 421, Personnel), geograph¬ 
ical areas (e.g., 412, Alaska), and specific topics 
(e.g., 429-4, regarding war damage to British 
naval vessels by mines, May 1941). Data con¬ 
cerning the design, construction, and weaponry 
of specific classes of warships are located as 
follows: Study no. 420-6, battleships; 420-7, 
aircraft carriers; 420-8, cruisers (heavy and 
light); 420-9, destroyers; and 420-15, subma¬ 
rines. Selected reports on combat operations 
(including the Battle of Midway, the invasion of 
southern France, and translated German docu¬ 
ments on naval operations in the Arctic Sea, 
1942) can be found in study no. 429-5. 

1.39 Records in the subject files often 
constitute the background and followup material 
to topics discussed at meetings of the General 
Board. For example, the proceedings of January 
23, 1942, document a discussion of the desir¬ 


ability of recruiting African-Americans into the 
Navy; earlier correspondence and subsequent 
policy memorandums are located within study 
no. 421 for the 1941-42 period. 

1.40 Among the most relevant subj ects for 
the immediate prewar and early wartime Navy 
are the expansion of shipyard and drydock 
facilities (study no. 404), naval plans and shore 
facilities in the Philippine Islands (405), design 
and performance of torpedoes (407), general 
information on shipbuilding programs (420-2), 
and detailed critiques of the Navy's readiness for 
war (425). 

1.41 Access to this series is facilitated by 
the index to the subject files, 1900-47 (6 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by name of subject or 
individual. Each card in the index identifies one 
or more documents under the subject heading 
according to date, title or subject of the docu¬ 
ment, and study number. Among additional 
indexes to General Board records is a cross- 
reference index to the subject files by date, 
1900-47 (1 fit.). 

1.42 Very valuable for the interwar period 
are records accumulated by the General Board 
relating to the control and limitation of naval 
armaments, 1921-42 (30 ft.). These are ar¬ 
ranged in 15 numbered files that roughly corre¬ 
spond to specific international naval and disar¬ 
mament conferences, particularly the Washington 
Naval Conference, 1921-23; the Geneva Disar¬ 
mament Conference, 1926-27; the League of 
Nations' disarmament negotiations, 1925-29; and 
the London Naval Conferences of 1930 and 
1935. Included are position papers and recom¬ 
mendations of the General Board, League of 
Nations and U.S. State Department publications, 
logs and diaries maintained by U.S. Navy 
officers involved in the negotiations, and back¬ 
ground studies and correspondence of various 
Navy bureaus and offices. (Closely related to 
this series is study no. 438 of the General Board 
subject files.) 

1.43 Among other General Board series, 
records of miscellaneous boards and commit¬ 
tees, 1932-50 (3 ft.), include various proposals 


12 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 80 


for postwar peace settlements and international 
organizations received by the General Board for 
the Dumbarton Oaks Conversations, August- 
October 1944 (file "Dumbarton Oaks, 1944"). 

1.44 More complete documentation of the 
international naval conferences, 1921-35, is 
located among the Records of International 
Conferences, Commissions, and Expositions, RG 
43. 


Joint Army-Navv Board (Navy) 

1.45 The administrative history and re¬ 
cords of the Joint Army and Navy Board (or 
Joint Board) are described in this chapter. With¬ 
in RG 80 are records of the Navy Secretariat 
of the Joint Army-Navy Board, 1913-47 (13 
ft.), arranged by Joint Board subject number 
(301-358) and thereunder by serial number. 
Except for some internal naval correspondence 
and marginal annotations to Joint Board docu¬ 
ments, this material essentially duplicates the 
Joint Board records located in RG 225. 

1.46 Closely related are records of the 
Joint Economy Board, a subordinate agency of 
the Joint Board established in 1933. Composed 
of five or more officers from each service and a 
civilian secretary, the Joint Economy Board 
investigated methods for achieving savings in 
time and money through the consolidation or 
simplification of functions common to both 
services. The Joint Economy Board was inactive 
during World War II and was abolished in 
September 1947. 

1.47 The Joint Economy Board's general 
correspondence, 1932-40 (2 ft.), arranged 
according to a subject-numeric scheme, details 
the possible consolidation of installations and 
services in the areas of intelligence (603-1), 
aviation (603-12), logistics (603-20), and schools 
and training (603-16). Two other series of 
records, totaling less than 1 ft., comprise min¬ 
utes of meetings, October 1933-March 1940, 
arranged chronologically, and semiannual 
summaries of reports of liaison officers, Feb¬ 


ruary 1935-March 1940, much of which is 
duplicated in the general correspondence. 

RG 225 RECORDS OF JOINT ARMY 
AND NAVY BOARDS AND 
COMMITTEES 

The Joint Board 

1.48 The Joint Board, also known as the 
Joint Army and Navy Board and as the J.B., was 
established on July 17, 1903, by a joint order of 
the Secretaries of War and the Navy. Acting as 
an advisory body until 1919, the Board thereaf¬ 
ter assumed responsibility for the preparation of 
joint Army-Navy war plans and the supervision 
of joint training programs and maneuvers. The 
Board also advised the President concerning 
national and hemispheric defense measures and 
made recommendations on issues affecting the 
Army and Navy jointly. By March 1942 the 
newly created Joint Chiefs of Staff had largely 
absorbed and superseded the functions and 
responsibilities of the Joint Board, which was not 
formally dissolved until September 1947. 

1.49 Army membership of the Board in 
1939 consisted of the Chief of Staff, the Deputy 
Chief of Staff, and the Assistant Chief of Staff 
for the War Plans Division. Naval members 
included the Chief of Naval Operations, the 
Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, and the 
Director of the War Plans Division. In July 1941 
air representation was provided with the addition 
of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and 
the Navy's Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. 
Three subordinate units, the Joint Planning 
Committee, the Joint Economy Board, and the 
Joint Intelligence Committee, reported directly to 
the Joint Board. Other joint organizations, 
including the Joint Army and Navy Munitions 
Board, the Aeronautical Board, and the Joint 
Army and Navy Selective Service Committee, 
submitted certain recommendations to the Board 
but were not otherwise subordinate to it. 

1.50 The records of the Joint Board in 
NARA custody comprise general correspon- 


13 




Record Group 225 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


dence, 1903-38 (9 ft.), including reports, corre¬ 
spondence, minutes of meetings, and memoran¬ 
dums. Nearly half the records date from the 
1920's, although many materials document the 
period 1939-42; very few records pertain to the 
rest of the war. The records are arranged ac¬ 
cording to a numeric scheme, with each of 60 
file numbers (designated J.B. 301 through J.B. 
358) representing a preassigned subject. In 
addition, documents relevant to specific subjects 
under Board consideration were assigned serial 
numbers; for the period 1913-47, serials were 
numbered 1 to 299 and 401 through 767. Non¬ 
serial records, arranged chronologically, precede 
serial numbers within each J.B. file number. 

1.51 Reflecting the Board's far-ranging 
responsibilities, the records cover an extensive 
array of subject matter. The minutes of Joint 
Board meetings, records of the Joint Planning 
Committee, and records relating to the member¬ 
ship, organization, procedures, and history of the 
Joint Board are all located in file J.B. 301 (Joint 
Board). Many of the subject files pertain to such 
general issues as radio and communications 
systems (J.B. 319), international law (J.B. 338), 
aeronautics (J.B. 349) and war munitions and 
equipment (J.B. 355); others refer to such 
specific geographic areas as the Philippines (J.B. 
305), Alaska (J.B. 312) and the Panama Canal 
(J.B. 319-1). File J.B. 325 (War Plans) includes 
not only information on strategic war plans 
developed during the 1919-41 period, but also 
data concerning operational planning for the 
occupation of Iceland, the Azores, Greenland, 
Martinique, and Guadeloupe. The same file also 
contains records regarding national and industrial 
mobilization measures and planned staff conver¬ 
sations with the British (January 1941) and the 
Soviets (October 1941). File J.B. 310 (Scientific 
Work of the Government) pertains to the ex¬ 
change of technical information with the British, 
September-October 1940; file J.B. 329 (Informa¬ 
tion) primarily concerns intelligence organiza¬ 
tions. 

1.52 Copies of Joint Board records are 
also located among the records of the Joint 


Board Navy Secretariat, Secretary of the Navy, 
RG 80, and among the War Plans Division's 
formerly security-classified correspondence of 
the Joint Army-Navy Board, RG 165. These 
records, maintained by Navy and Army repre¬ 
sentatives serving with the Joint Board, largely 
duplicate the Joint Board records described, but 
include handwritten annotations and some sup¬ 
plementary documents to the serial records. Both 
collections are described in this chapter. 

1.53 The Joint Board records have been 
microfilmed as National Archives Microfilm 
Publication M1421. The accompanying descrip¬ 
tive pamphlet provides additional information on 
the history and arrangement of these materials. 

RG 218 RECORDS OF THE U.S. JOINT 
CHIEFS OF STAFF 

1.54 The World War II records of the 
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff reflect that organiza¬ 
tion's activities at three hierarchic levels: Its 
meetings with British representatives as the 
Combined Chiefs of Staff, its own function as 
the principal mechanism for joint Army-Navy 
cooperation, and the specific tasks allotted to its 
subordinate committees. The records generated 
by these activities are integrated into a single 
collection. The descriptions below therefore treat 
these organizations and their records as a whole. 

The Combine d C hiefs of Staff 

1.55 The Combined Chiefs of Staff, also 
known as the CCS, came into existence as a 
result of a series of British-American military 
staff discussions (codenamed the ARCADIA 
Conference) held in Washington, DC, from 
December 23, 1941, to January 14, 1942. The 
first meeting of the CCS occurred on January 
23, 1942. Responsible directly to the President 
of the United States and to the Prime Minister of 
Great Britain, the Combined Chiefs of Staff 
served as a coordinating agency in the formula¬ 
tion and execution of policies and plans concern¬ 
ing the strategic conduct of the war, the broad 


14 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 218 


program of war requirements, the allocation of 
munitions resources, and the determination of 
requirements of overseas transportation. The 
CCS also exercised general authority over inter- 
Allied commands (e.g., Allied Forces Headquar¬ 
ters (AFHQ) and Supreme Headquarters, Allied 
Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF). In time the CCS 
assumed responsibility for operational strategy in 
Europe and in the Mediterranean, extending to 
coordination with Soviet military operations in 
1944-45. The CCS’ role in determining strategy 
declined in 1945 as theater commands assumed 
greater responsibilities. 

1.56 To discharge its functions, the CCS 
established a number of subordinate committees, 
including the Combined Staff Planners, Muni¬ 
tions Assignments Board in Washington, Com¬ 
bined Intelligence Committee, Combined Mili¬ 
tary Transportation Committee, Combined 
Communications Board, Combined Meteorologi¬ 
cal Committee, Combined Administrative Com¬ 
mittee, and Combined Civil Affairs Committee. 
Although its headquarters remained in Washing¬ 
ton, DC, the CCS accompanied the national 
heads of state in discussions of strategy at the 
major Allied wartime conferences at Casablanca 
(codenamed SYMBOL), Quebec (QUADRANT 
and OCTAGON), Cairo (SEXTANT), Teheran 
(EUREKA), Yalta (ARGONAUT), and Potsdam 
(TERMINAL). (While military staff representa¬ 
tives of other Allied powers participated in these 
conferences, the Combined Chiefs of Staff 
organization remained an independent entity 
restricted to Great Britain and the United States.) 
The final meeting of the Combined Chiefs of 
Staff occurred on July 24, 1945, at Potsdam; 
subsequent meetings scheduled from August to 
November 1945 were canceled. Though most of 
the subordinate committees ceased to function 
during the same period, the Combined Civil 
Affairs Committee remained active in occupation 
policy into 1949. 

1.57 The Combined Chiefs of Staff com¬ 
prised the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 
British Chiefs of Staff or their designated repre¬ 
sentatives in Washington (the British Joint Staff 


Mission, later the British Joint Services Mis¬ 
sion), as well as a representative of the Prime 
Minister in his capacity as Minister of Defence. 
The British Chiefs of Staff (also known as the 
Chiefs of Staff Committee) included Field 
Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of the Imperial 
General Staff; Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley 
Pound (succeeded in December 1942 by Admiral 
of the Fleet Sir Andrew B. Cunningham), First 
Sea Lord; and Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles 
Portal, Chief of the Air Staff. Their respective 
representatives in Washington were: Lt. Gen. Sir 
Colville Wemyss (replaced in March 1942 by 
Maj. Gen. R. H. Dewing, in June 1942 by Lt. 
Gen. G. N. Macready); Adm. Sir Andrew 
Cunningham (succeeded in December 1942 by 
Adm. Sir Percy Noble); and Air Vice Marshal 
D. C. S. Evill (replaced in June 1943 by Air 
Marshal Sir William Welsh, then by Air Marshal 
Douglas Colyer). Simultaneously representing 
the Minister of Defence and serving as the head 
of the British Joint Staff Mission was Field 
Marshal Sir John Dill, succeeded in November 
1944 by Field Marshal Sir Henry Maitland 
Wilson. 

T he Joint Chiefs of S taff 

1.58 The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also 
known as the JCS, originated as a result of the 
establishment of the Combined Chiefs of Staff in 
January 1942, which encouraged the formation 
of an American counterpart to the British Chiefs 
of Staff. Between January and July 1942 the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff established itself not only as 
the American representation on the Combined 
Chiefs of Staff, but also as the principal agency 
for American interservice coordination, effec¬ 
tively absorbing and superseding the Joint Board, 
described in this chapter. The JCS played a 
major role in developing military strategy, 
monitoring the production and allocation of 
munitions and shipping, determining the man¬ 
power needs of the armed forces, and reviewing 
matters of joint Army-Navy policy. Although 
lacking in actual command authority, the Joint 


15 



Record Group 218 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Chiefs of Staff effectively determined operational 
strategy for the Pacific theater of war and coor¬ 
dinated operations in China with regard to Allied 
strategy in the Far East. The JCS also generally 
supervised the activities of the Office of Strate¬ 
gic Services (OSS) and the Army and Navy Staff 
College. No formal charter for the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff existed during World War II, but it 
continued to function after war's end until it 
received legislative recognition as a permanent 
agency through the National Security Act of July 
1947. 

1.59 At its first meeting on February 9, 
1942, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consisted of the 
Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Harold R. 
Stark; the Chief of Staff of the United States 
Army, Gen. George C. Marshall; the Command¬ 
er in Chief of the United States Fleet, Admiral 
Ernest J. King; and the Commanding General of 
the Army Air Forces (AAF), Lt. Gen. Henry H. 
Arnold. In March 1942 the offices of Chief of 
Naval Operations and Commander in Chief of 
the United States Fleet combined under Admiral 
King, reducing the Joint Chiefs to three. In July 
1942 Adm. William D. Leahy, newly appointed 
Chief of Staff to the President in the latter's 
capacity as Commander in Chief, joined the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff in the role of Chairman. 
The constitution of the JCS remained unchanged 
thereafter for the war's duration. 

1.60 The JCS organization included the 
Joint Chiefs themselves, the Joint Deputy Chiefs 
of Staff, the Secretariat, and a network of stand¬ 
ing committees. Most of the latter not only 
served the JCS at the national level but also 
provided American representation to Combined 
Chiefs of Staff committees of similar purpose, 
including the Joint Staff Planners; the Joint 
Intelligence Committee (later redesignated the 
Joint Intelligence Subcommittee, then the Joint 
Intelligence Staff); the Joint Communications 
Board; the Joint Meteorological Committee; and 
the Joint Military Transportation Committee; to 
which were later added the Joint Munitions 
Allocations, Joint Logistics, and Joint Civil 
Affairs Committees. Other committees operated 


solely for the purposes of the JCS included the 
Joint Strategic Survey Committee; the Joint 
Committee on New Weapons and Equipment; the 
Joint Psychological Warfare Committee (abol¬ 
ished in December 1942, when its functions 
were transferred to OSS); the Army-Navy 
Petroleum Board; and the Joint Production 
Survey Committee. Also in this category are 
those bodies that evolved from sub- or working 
committees assisting larger committees in their 
work: The Joint U.S. Strategic Committee (later 
designated the Joint War Plans Committee), the 
Joint Post-War Committee, and the Joint Securi¬ 
ty Control, for example, all originated as subor¬ 
dinate bodies to the Joint Staff Planners. Many 
additional temporary committees and subcommit¬ 
tees existed at the level of the Combined Chiefs 
of Staff. The majority of these committees 
ceased to exist with the end of the war, but the 
Army-Navy Petroleum Board, the Joint New 
Weapons and Equipment Committee, and the 
Joint Civil Affairs Committee continued to 
function well into the postwar period. 

1.61 Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
pertaining to the Second World War in NARA 
custody include the American copies of the 
records of the Combined Chiefs of Staff and its 
committees, 1942-45, as retained by the JCS 
Secretariat. These number approximately 350 ft. 
and include reports, correspondence, agenda and 
minutes of meetings, membership rosters, mem¬ 
orandums, directives, case files, and working 
papers. They are generally arranged according to 
the War Department decimal classification 
scheme, as modified to provide for papers of a 
joint or combined nature. 

1.62 The most significant series of CCS 
records consists of formerly security-classified 
subject and geographic files, 1942-45. The 
subject subseries (ca. 147 ft.) is arranged ac¬ 
cording to the War Department decimal scheme 
and thereunder chronologically. The roughly 66 
ft. of records composing the geographic subse¬ 
ries are arranged alphabetically by geographic 
region, thereunder by decimal number and date; 
although most of the geographic designations 


16 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 218 


involve countries or islands, some terms employ 
broad generalizations (e.g., "Axis," "Northwest¬ 
ern Pacific Area"). Information on a specific 
locality may be contained in several geographic 
files (e.g., "Axis," "Italy," and "Sicily" all 
contain information on Italy). A "CCS" prefix 
accompanies every file in both subseries. 
Lengthy files are divided into numbered sections, 
also arranged chronologically; e.g., CCS 313.4 
(2-8-42) (1) through (29). A "list sheet" at the 
beginning of each folder identifies the dates, but 
not the contents, of documents in the file; still- 
classified documents have been withdrawn 
without other indication of removal. Each file 
includes as part of its file designation the date of 
its earliest document. This allows a differentia¬ 
tion among several subjects included within the 
same decimal number; thus, CCS 381 (6-15-45) 
pertains to preparations for a British-American 
staff conference, CCS 381 (1-11-44) and CCS 
381 Germany (12-1-42) detail operational plan¬ 
ning in Europe, and CCS 381 (3-27-42) assesses 
Axis intentions for 1942. 

1.63 The minutes of meetings of the 
Combined Chiefs of Staff, the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff, and associated committees and organiza¬ 
tions are arranged alphabetically by name of 
organization under decimal CCS 334 in the 
subject subseries. The minutes vary from brief 
summaries to near-verbatim transcripts, and are 
often accompanied by detailed studies and re¬ 
ports. This file category also includes minutes of 
combined staff discussions at the major interna¬ 
tional conferences during the 1942-45 period, 
arranged according to the codename of the 
conference (e.g., CCS 334 SEXTANT). 

1.64 In addition, a number of subject files 
record the principal actions of the CCS and JCS. 
File CCS 016 (1-24-44) provides a compilation 
of decisions made by the CCS, the JCS, and the 
Joint Deputy Chiefs of Staff on behalf of the JCS 
from January 1944 to August 1945. Summaries 
of the status of policy papers under CCS/JCS 
consideration from February 1942 through the 
end of the war are found in CCS 313.4 (2-8-42) 
(1). Additional status reports on CCS/JCS 


directives and papers are located in CCS 319.1 
(4-30-44) and CCS 319.1 (9-12-42). 

1.65 The records reflect the paramount 
role of the CCS and the JCS in the formulation 
of Allied strategy. Detailed discussions of strate¬ 
gy and planned operations are found in the 
minutes described above (CCS 334). Files CCS 
370 (5-21-43) and CCS 381 (4-24-43) treat 
considerations of grand strategy and planning. 
Operations planned and undertaken in the Medi¬ 
terranean theater are described in both subseries 
at CCS 381 (7-24-42), CCS 381 Sicily 
(1-20-43), CCS 381 (4-23-43) and CCS 381 
(10-24-43). Plans and operations on the Europe¬ 
an continent are detailed in both subseries at 
CCS 381 (3-23-42), CCS 381 (8-20-43), CCS 
381 (1-11-44) and CCS 381 Germany (12-1-42). 
In the Asiatic and Pacific theaters, files CCS 381 
Pacific Ocean Areas (6-10-43), CCS 381 Burma 
(8-25-42), CCS 381 Chinese Theater (12-7-43) 
and CCS 381 Japan (8-25-42) document Allied 
operational planning, while CCS 373.11 Japan 
(8-20-43) traces the evolution of the American 
strategic bombing of Japan. 

1.66 Intelligence material is widely scat¬ 
tered throughout the files. In addition to minutes 
of intelligence organizations' meetings, decimal 
350.05 includes subject files for many intelli¬ 
gence topics, particularly in the formal reporting 
and dissemination of intelligence. Evaluations of 
enemy capabilities and intentions are generally 
found under decimal 381, notably CCS 381 
(3-27-42), CCS 381 (6-4-43), CCS 381 Germany 
(2-3-42), and CCS 381 Japan (4-23-42). Infor¬ 
mation on communications intelligence and 
security is scattered among several subject files 
under decimal 311, including information on 
radio and radar intelligence and countermea¬ 
sures. Finally, file CCS 319.1 (11-7-44) pro¬ 
vides extensive information on the activities of 
the Combined Intelligence Objectives Subcom¬ 
mittee (CIOS), including numerous interroga¬ 
tions of captured German scientists and technical 
specialists. 

1.67 As the Office of Strategic Services 
(OSS) fell under JCS supervision, the latter's 


17 


Record Group 218 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


records incorporate many originated by OSS. 
These include budget estimates (CCS 111 
(6-17-42)); a monthly activity report for October 
1942 (CCS 319.1 (9-15-42)); reports of OSS 
operations in various theaters (CCS 319.1 
(11-4-43), CCS 350.05 European Theater 
(8-4-44)), and CCS 385 European Theater 
(4-12-43)), general information on the organiza¬ 
tion of OSS (CCS 385 (2-8-42)), and transporta¬ 
tion of OSS personnel (CCS 510 (2-24-43)). In 
addition, the OSS summary publication "The 
War This Week" for the period April 2, 
1942-January 7, 1943 are located in CCS 000.76 
(4-10-42). 

1.68 Reflecting the many activities of 
these combined and joint organizations, the files 
cover a wide range of additional topics. Major 
subjects include general questions of supplies and 
munitions production and allocation, under 
decimal numbers 400.17 and 400.3; the produc¬ 
tion and employment of aircraft, 452; merchant 
and naval ship construction, 561.4; the treatment 
of prisoners of war (both Allied and Axis), 
383.6; technological developments in the use of 
radar and radio, 311; and war crimes against 
Allied military personnel, 000.5. Among more 
specialized topics, information on chemical and 
biological warfare will be found in CCS 385.2 
(12-17-43) and CCS 441.5 (8-27-42); on civil 
affairs in CCS 014 (3-22-43), CCS 383.21 
(7-3-43), CCS 383.21 Germany (2-22-44) and 
CCS 383.21 Japan (3-13-45); and on planning 
for the postwar global network of U.S. military 
bases CCS 360 (12-9-42). 

1.69 Although many records of the CCS' 
Munitions Assignments Board in Washington are 
included among the 1942-45 subject and geo¬ 
graphic files (particularly under CCS 334), the 
main body of that organization's records are 
located among the Records of International 
Military Agencies, RG 333, and are described in 
chapter IV. 

1.70 Many of the files originated in the 
1942-45 period are continued in subject and 
geographic decimal files, 1946-47; e.g., file 
000.5 (3-13-45) sections 4 and 5 documents the 


postwar apprehension of war criminals. Some 
files in the 1946-47 series were created in 1944- 
45 but included so many postwar materials that 
they were filed in the later series (e.g., CCS 
014.31 (4-21-44) and CCS 020 (10-4-44)). 

1.71 In contrast to other declassified 
records, JCS documents withdrawn for continued 
security classification are not so indicated by 
withdrawal cards, but can be deduced by com¬ 
parison with each folder's index sheet. 

1.72 Several microfilm and card-indexes 
facilitate access to individual documents within 
the 1942-45 subject and geographic series. As 
these finding aids include references to records 
withdrawn as security classified and to records 
dated from 1945 to 1953, they remain security 
classified and may be used only by NARA staff 
members with security clearances. 

1.73 Records of most of the various 
committees of the CCS and JCS are no longer 
extant. Subject and geographic files of the 
Combined Civil Affairs Committee, 1942-46 
(ca. 51 ft.), duplicate the subseries, decimal, and 
chronological arrangement described above. The 
records document the activities of this and the 
related Joint Civil Affairs Committee in coordi¬ 
nating civil affairs policies in occupied or liber¬ 
ated areas. Decimal 334 within the subject 
subseries includes the minutes of both commit¬ 
tees, their subcommittees, and meetings with 
related organizations (including the European 
Advisory Commission and the United Nations 
Relief and Rehabilitation Administration). The 
subject files also provide much information on 
fiscal planning and currency matters (decimal 
123) and civilian requirements and relief (400). 
Within the geographic subseries, civil affairs 
policy directives and papers are located in 
decimal 014 under the country name (e.g., 
CCAC 014 Japan (9-20-44)); the subseries 
includes substantive information for the Balkans 
and Korea, as well as for Germany, Italy, and 
Japan. A country and subject index to the series 
precedes the subject files. 

1.74 A second exception concerns the 
general records of the Joint New Weapons 


18 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 218 


Committee, 1942-46 (33 ft.), a JCS organization 
that facilitated research and development of new 
weapons and equipment. The records are loosely 
arranged in three successive subject files. At the 
end of the first subject subseries are stenographic 
notes and transcripts of the Committee's meet¬ 
ings, May 1942-March 1946. The second and 
more comprehensive subseries incorporates the 
files of the Committee's subordinate committees 
and panels, especially of the Guided Missiles 
Committee, Radar Working Committee, Solar 
Subcommittee, and Rocket Propellant Panel. The 
final subseries consists of formerly "top secret" 
subject files maintained by the Committee. These 
subseries include extensive information about 
guided missiles, radar, and the preparation of 
training films for specific items of equipment or 
operational techniques, as well as data regarding 
antisubmarine warfare, biological warfare, 
German secret weapons (under codename 
CROSSBOW), rockets, and the introduction of 
operations research techniques in the evaluation 
of combat performance. 

1.75 The dates covered by these records 
range from October 1941 to July 1946, when the 
Committee was replaced by the Joint Research 
and Development Board; a copy of the minutes 
of the latter organization's first meeting, July 18, 
1946, is filed in the second subseries. Closely 
related are the records of the New Developments 
Division, War Department Special Staff, RG 
165, described in chapter VII. 

1.76 The Chairman's files of Admiral 
William Leahy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff, 1942-48 (7 ft.), particularly document 
the coordination of strategy and policy between 
the JCS and the President. The records are 
arranged in a subject file that includes general 
regions and countries (e.g., "China," "Europe," 
"Pacific Area"); general subjects ("Lend-Lease," 
"Palestine-Arabs and Jews," "Prisoners of 
War"); specific events ("Berne Surrender Con¬ 
troversy," "Germany-The Berlin Airlift 1948"); 
and individuals ("General de Gaulle"). Addition¬ 
al subject files consist of messages exchanged 
among Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, Prime 


Ministers Churchill and Attlee, and Soviet 
Marshal Stalin, as well as State Department 
message files and memorandums to and from the 
President, 1943-49. Much of the material per¬ 
tains to the major Allied wartime conferences 
and to political developments in the 1945-48 era. 
An index to the contents of each subject file is 
located at the beginning of the series. 

1.77 The Dr. Edward P. Lilly papers on 
psychological warfare, 1945-51 (6 ft.) constitute 
a collection of material for a manuscript history 
of American psychological warfare during World 
War II. From 1945 through 1951 Lilly, a histori¬ 
an employed by the JCS Historical Office, 
collected copies of records, typed excerpts from 
relevant documents, transcripts of postwar 
interviews, and correspondence with military and 
civilian officials for his study. Except for several 
draft chapters and miscellaneous notes that begin 
and conclude the series, the records are arranged 
in an alphabetical subject file. In addition to 
extensive "chronological" and "psychological 
warfare planning" files, subjects covered include 
geographic areas (e..g., China, North Africa, 
Okinawa); Allied operational commands (e.g., 
AFHQ, CINCPAC, SHAEF); and organizations 
engaged in psychological warfare operations 
(e.g., OSS, Office of War Information (OWI), 
Op-16-W of the Navy). Although most of the 
information pertains to Allied operations, some 
data regarding German propaganda is included. 

1.78 Among the remaining series of CCS 
and JCS records of World War II, minutes of 
meetings of international conferences, 1941-45 
(1 ft.) consist of bound volumes of minutes and 
associated documents of the major international 
conferences, December 1941-July 1945, ar¬ 
ranged chronologically by conference codename 
(e.g., ARCADIA, QUADRANT). Historical 
monographs detailing the history of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff in World War II (2 ft.) include 
Stacey B. Kittredge, "The Evolution of Global 
Strategy" (also reproduced as National Archives 
Microfilm Publication T1174); L. M. Guyer, E. 
A. Peterson, Abbot Smith, et al., "The War 
Against Germany"; Grace P. Hayes, "The War 


19 


Record Group 218 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Against Japan"; and Vernon E. Davis, "Organi¬ 
zational Development." Instruments of surren¬ 
der and armistice (1 ft.) consist of the German 
surrender documents signed at Liineburg, May 
4, 1945; Reims, May 7, 1945; and Berlin, May 
8, 1945; Japanese surrender documents signed in 
Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945; and subsequent 
surrenders in Asia and the Pacific, September 
1945. The last series, together with official 
copies of the Korean Armistice Agreements of 
1953, are reproduced on National Archives 
Microfilm Publication T826. 

1.79 CCS and JCS records maintained by 
the Office of the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, are 
included among the Records of the War Depart¬ 
ment General and Special Staffs, RG 165, and 
are described below. JCS and CCS records 
retained by AAF representatives are in the 
partially declassified top secret decimal corre¬ 
spondence file, 1942-54, Office of the Director 
of Plans, Records of Headquarters, U.S. Air 
Force, RG 341. The disposition of copies of 
JCS/CCS records retained by U.S. Navy repre¬ 
sentatives is unknown. 

1.80 British records of Combined Chiefs 
of Staff origin are in the custody of the Public 
Record Office, Kew, England, under the classifi¬ 
cation CAB 88. These records should also be 
consulted regarding combined operational plan¬ 
ning. The Public Record Office also retains 
custody of records of the British Joint Services 
Mission, Washington Office Files (CAB 122) 
and of the London Munitions Assignments Board 
(CAB 92 and CAB 109). 

RG 165 RECORDS OF THE WAR DE¬ 
PARTMENT GENERAL AND 
SPECIAL STAFFS 

Chief of Staff 

1.81 The position of Chief of Staff, U.S. 
Army, dates from the establishment of the War 
Department General Staff in 1903. In 1921, with 
the reorganization and strengthening of the 
General Staff, the Chief of Staff became the 


military head of the Army, responsible for the 
planning, development, and execution of the 
military program. The Chief of Staff served as 
adviser to the Secretary of War and the President 
on matters affecting the military, advised Con¬ 
gressional committees on legislation concerning 
the military, and represented the Army in 
conferences with the State Department and other 
branches of government. Directly responsible to 
the Chief of Staff were the five divisions of the 
General Staff: Personnel (G-l), Military Intelli¬ 
gence (G-2), Organization and Training (G-3), 
Supply (G-4), and War Plans (later Operations). 
During the period 1936-42, the Chief of Staff 
also acted as Commanding General, Field 
Forces. Under the direction of Gen. George C. 
Marshall, Chief of Staff from September 1, 
1939, through the end of the war, the Office of 
the Chief of Staff (OC/S) developed into the 
central command post for American military 
operations around the globe. During the war the 
Chief of Staff also served on both the Combined 
Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as 
well as on the Secretary of War’s War Council. 
From 1938 to 1943 he was a member of the 
Standing Liaison Committee, a working group 
composed of representatives of the Departments 
of War, Navy, and State to coordinate military 
and foreign policies toward Latin American 
nations. 

1.82 The OC/S included the Chief of 
Staff, three Deputy Chiefs of Staff (including 
one each for Air and the Armored Forces), a 
Secretary of the General Staff (later redesignated 
the Secretariat), and five Assistant Chiefs of 
Staff, who directed the five General Staff divi¬ 
sions. From 1936 through the end of the war, 
the OC/S also included the War Department 
General Council, a group that met to review and 
discuss War Department activities on a regular 
basis. During the war the OC/S Secretariat 
included the War Department Classified Message 
Center, the office that regularly processed signal 
communications exchanged between Army field 
commands and Washington. In 1944 the Strength 
Accounting and Reporting Office and the Person- 


20 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


nel and Administration Branch were added to the 
OC/S. 

1.83 In March 1942 General Marshall 
initiated a major reorganization of the War 
Department that granted broad discretionary 
powers to the chiefs of General Staff divisions 
and to the commanding generals of the newly 
established Army Ground Forces, Army Air 
Forces, and Services of Supply (later Army 
Service Forces). This eliminated many of the 
Chief of Staffs administrative duties and freed 
him to concentrate on strategy and major opera¬ 
tions abroad through the Operations Division 
(OPD) for the remainder of the war. Marshall 
remained in office until November 1945, when 
he was succeeded by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhow¬ 
er. 

1.84 Formerly security-classified general 
correspondence, 1920-42 (8 ft.), of the Chief of 
Staff provides much information on the prewar 
period, American preparations for war from 
1939 to Pearl Harbor, and American military 
operations from December 1941 to May 1942. 
The records are arranged according to a numeri¬ 
cal scheme from 1 through 21500, with individ¬ 
ual documents assigned subordinate item num¬ 
bers; e.g., a report on the German invasion of 
Crete in May 1941 is designated as numerical 
file 21090, item 53 (21090-53). The numerical 
files generally represent specific subjects; e.g., 
file 14110 concerns U.S. air defense, 21224 
pertains to the U.S. occupation of Iceland in 
1941, 21151 details personnel procurement and 
selection, and 21157 relates to the development 
of new weapons. Other subjects are scattered 
among several files; military operations against 
Japan, for example, are described in files 18136 
(particularly regarding the Philippine Islands), 
21347, and 21368 (especially regarding the 
Netherlands East Indies). Included is correspon¬ 
dence with the Secretary of War, not duplicated 
in any other collection of records. The series 
apparently terminated with the War Department 
reorganization described above. 

1.85 It should be noted, however, that 
extensive gaps exist in this series with no indica¬ 


tion of the final disposition of the missing files. 
For example, only a handful of the first 7,000 
numerical files, largely pertaining to military 
activities in the 1920's, are available. File 21090 
contains observations of the European War, 
1939-1942, but at least 44 of 65 indexed items 
are missing. 

1.86 Two indexes facilitate access to the 
series. The subject card index to the formerly 
security-classified general correspondence, 
1920-42 (3 ft.), is arranged alphabetically by 
subject and thereunder chronologically. Each 
index reference includes the date and an abstract 
of each document relating to the subject, togeth¬ 
er with the pertinent numerical file and item 
numbers. Tally cards for the formerly securi¬ 
ty-classified general correspondence, 1920-42 
(7 ft.), provide listings of the contents of the 
numerical files from 120 through 21500. Ar¬ 
ranged numerically, the cards provide dates and 
abstracts for each item within each numerical 
file, as well as annotations of the disposition or 
action taken within the Office of the Chief of 
Staff. Because of the noted gaps in the series, 
this index represents the only complete record of 
the original contents of the numerical files. 

1.87 Both indexes have been microfilmed 
as National Archives Microfilm Publication 
T1013, with the subject card index reproduced 
on rolls 1-17 and the tally cards reproduced on 
rolls 18-66. Access to some index rolls, index 
cards, and indexed records is restricted as they 
contain information that remains security classi¬ 
fied. 

1.88 The numerical files were succeeded 

by formerly security-classified general corre¬ 
spondence, 1942-47 (121 ft.), arranged in four 
chronological subseries (1942-43, 1944-45, 

1946, and 1947) and thereunder according to the 
War Department decimal scheme. Documents 
within the decimal files are arranged chronologi¬ 
cally. These files contain national security 
information formerly classified below the "top 
secret" level. The two subseries covering the 
World War II period (ca. 76 ft.) relate principal¬ 
ly to organizational, personnel, and administra- 


21 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


tive subjects, and document a close British- 
American liaison in administrative matters. 
Within both subseries, decimals 320.2 (troop 
strength and manpower requirements) and 334 
(meetings of committees, boards, and commis¬ 
sions) provide substantial information on those 
topics; the latter includes minutes of meetings of 
the Combined Chiefs of Staff, Joint Chiefs of 
Staff, and subordinate committees. File 201 
contains extensive correspondence pertaining to 
individual military personnel, arranged alphabet¬ 
ically; 095 contains correspondence of private 
American and British citizens and organizations 
with the Office of the Chief of Staff. Some data 
on operational planning can be found in file 381. 

1.89 The 1942-43 subseries includes a 
small group of project files that were not as¬ 
signed decimal numbers but that are arranged 
alphabetically by countries, areas, military 
centers, and camps. The country and area files 
include intelligence assessments and reports on 
military operations. The 1943-44 subseries 
contains considerable information on military 
service of American blacks and race relations in 
the United States (file 291.2), military installa¬ 
tions and commands (323.3), training camps and 
maneuvers (354), demobilization planning 
(370.01), the treatment of American and Axis 
prisoners of war (383.6), and reports of U.S. 
strategic bombing operations in Europe and the 
Pacific (384.3 and 384.5). Postwar processing of 
prisoners of war is described in file 383.6 of the 
1946 subseries, which also includes information 
on demobilization (370.01) and the prosecution 
of war crimes (000.5). 

1.90 Indexes to the formerly security- 
classified general correspondence, 1942-47 (88 
rolls and 78 ft.), are arranged by individual year 
and thereunder according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. Each card index furnishes the 
file citation and date, an abstract of the contents, 
and the file disposition of the document indexed, 
with cross-references to additional index entries 
where the information is duplicated. The index 
for 1942 is microfilmed as part of National 
Archives Microfilm Publication T1014, with the 


index to the alphabetically arranged project files 
reproduced on rolls 1-10 and the index to the 
decimal files reproduced on rolls 11-44. The 
index to the 1943 project files is reproduced on 
rolls 45-52 of the same publication, while the 
index to the 1943 decimal files through decimal 
315 appears on rolls 52-88. The remainder of 
the 1943 index, and the indexes for subsequent 
years, are available only as originals. These 
serve as useful summaries for some categories of 
activities for each year (e.g., 334 War Depart¬ 
ment Decorations Board, for actions in approv¬ 
ing or rejecting recommendations for unit and 
individual awards and citations). 

1.91 Information regarding high-level 
planning of strategy and policy is available in 
formerly top secret general correspondence, 
1941-47 (13 ft.), of the Office of the Chief of 
Staff. The series is arranged in four chronologi¬ 
cal subseries (1941-43, 1944-45, 1946, 1947) 
and thereunder according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. The first subseries (3 ft.) 
includes an alphabetically arranged collection of 
project files. The 1944-45 subseries (5 ft.) 
includes minutes of weekly staff conferences 
held by the Commanding General, Mediterra¬ 
nean Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, for the 
period November 6, 1944-December 28, 1945. 
(The latter were probably included because the 
officer who held this post, Gen. Joseph T. 
McNarney, was formerly Deputy Chief of Staff.) 
Information regarding strategy and operational 
planning can be found under decimal 381 and 
under the codenames of operations (e.g., 
SLEDGEHAMMER, TORCH) under "Codes" in 
the 1941-43 project series. In addition to organi¬ 
zational data on the Combined Chiefs of Staff, 
Joint Chiefs of Staff, and subordinate commit¬ 
tees, file 334 in the 1944-45 subseries includes 
weekly status reports on actions taken by the 
Operations Division on CCS and JCS directives, 
October 1944-September 1945. File 337 docu¬ 
ments meetings of the State-War-Navy Coordi¬ 
nating Committee (SWNCC), January-December 
1945. U.S. biological warfare is treated in file 
385 (in the 1944-45 subseries); file 385.2 pro- 


22 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


vides information on new weapons develop¬ 
ments, including data regarding German V-l 
rockets. 

1.92 The formerly top secret card index 
to the top secret general correspondence, 
1942-47 (4 ft.), is arranged in one subseries for 
the 1941-1945 period and two subseries for 1946 
and 1947. The index furnishes the same infor¬ 
mation, and in the same format, as that found in 
the indexes to the formerly security-classified 
general correspondence. It has not been micro¬ 
filmed. 

1.93 Among the remaining series of 
records of the Office of the Chief of Staff, the 
most significant consists of minutes and notes 
of conferences, 1938-45 (4 ft.). These are 
arranged as follows: (1) Reports and memoran¬ 
dums on National Defense Emergency Planning 
measures, 1939-40; (2) notes prepared for 
meetings of the War Council, March 1942- 
November 1943, summarizing military opera¬ 
tions in all theaters; (3) records of conferences 
involving the Chief of Staff; (4) memorandums 
to the Chief of Staff, February 1942-November 
1945, primarily relating to administrative and 
personnel matters (including the awarding of 
decorations); and (5) daily summaries of official 
papers processed by the Secretary, General Staff, 
July 1940-February 1941, and of correspondence 
to the Chief of Staff (much of it from private 
citizens), December 1941-March 1944. The 
records of conferences involving the Chief of 
Staff are particularly valuable as they include 
meetings with the President and the Secretary of 
War, November 1938-September 1941, the 
minutes of meetings of the War Council, January 
1942-February 1943, War Department General 
Council meetings, 1939-1942, and staff meetings 
within the Office of the Chief of Staff, May 
1940-March 1942. 

1.94 Minutes of conferences of Joint 
Chiefs of Staff and Combined Chiefs of Staff, 
and transcripts of war plans testimonies, 
1939-47 (5 ft.), were originated by the Deputy 
Chief of Staff, and are arranged loosely by 
subject. These include testimonies given by 


Army and Navy officers on the proposed reorga¬ 
nization of the armed forces, July 1945; papers 
and minutes of meetings of principal World War 
II Allied military conferences, 1941-45 (micro¬ 
filmed as National Archives Microfilm Publica¬ 
tion M995); and papers of the Joint Deputy 
Chiefs of Staff and other JCS and CCS commit¬ 
tees, 1943-45. There are also miscellaneous 
reports and studies, including a survey of the 
status of U.S. guided missiles, March 1946; a 
strategic estimate of U.S. global interests, 
October 1941; reports on German surrender 
negotiations, 1944-45; and considerations of 
Allied strategic policy in the event of a Soviet 
collapse, August 1942. 

1.95 The Secretariat' s reading file, 1939- 
42 (1 ft.), arranged chronologically, relates 
primarily to administrative and personnel mat¬ 
ters, and includes periodic situation reports of 
military operations in Europe, October 1940- 
May 1941; logistics; and military assistance to 
Great Britain, 1940-41. Formerly security- 
classified radiograms, 1942 (3 ft.) are arranged 
alphabetically either by command designation 
(e.g., "ABDACOM," "AMSEG-Cairo") or by 
geographic name (e.g., "Alaska," "South Ameri¬ 
ca") and thereunder by "outgoing" and "incom¬ 
ing," for the period January-May 1942. Former¬ 
ly security-classified cables and correspon¬ 
dence with the White House, 1939-46 (less than 
1 ft.), deal principally with personnel and 
protocol matters. Formerly security-classified 
confidential notes of the Secretary of the 
General Staff, 1938-45 (2 ft.), include minutes 
of the meetings of the Standing Liaison Commit¬ 
tee, February 1938-June 1943 (primarily con¬ 
cerning Latin American defense issues); various 
subject files (including reports on the projected 
construction of American bases in former British 
possessions, 1941); and correspondence files 
pertaining to personnel and administrative mat¬ 
ters, February 1943-October 1944 and August- 
No vember 1945. 

1.96 Two series of records pertain largely 
to planning for postwar reorganization of the 
armed forces. Papers of General O. L. Nelson 


23 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


(Deputy Theater Commander and Chief of 
Staff, Mediterranean Theater of Operations) 
relating to the unification of the armed forces, 
1938-46 (2 ft.), are arranged alphabetically by 
subject. The files include congressional testimo¬ 
ny, proposed plans for War Department reorga¬ 
nization, and a 1937 study on relations between 
the Army and the Navy. Also included are 
reports of inspection tours of U.S. Army over¬ 
seas bases, 1943-44; memorandums exchanged 
between Marshall and Deputy Chief of Staff 
Gen. Joseph McNarney; and minutes of meetings 
of the Board of Managers, Army Emergency 
Relief, 1944-46. The formerly security-classi¬ 
fied Patch-Simpson Board reports relating to 
the postwar organization of the War Depart¬ 
ment, 1938-46 (4 ft.), constitute a collection of 
reports and testimony arranged loosely by 
subject. Much of the information is arranged 
according to service branch (e.g., transportation, 
medical, Army Air Forces); included are inter¬ 
views of senior officers, including Gen. Dwight 
Eisenhower. 

1.97 Related to these records, although not 
integral to those of the Chief of Staff, are 
formerly security-classified records relating to 
the special communications circuit for han¬ 
dling "Prime-Potus" (Prime Minister-President 
of the United States) messages exchanged 
during and after the war by the President 
(Roosevelt and Truman), the British Prime 
Minister (Churchill and Attlee), and their 
high-ranking advisers, 1942-47 (1 ft.). Main¬ 
tained by the Office of the U.S. Military Attache 
in London and arranged chronologically, these 
highest-level communications relate to Allied 
strategic and diplomatic planning, January 1942- 
February 1947. A chronological register of the 
messages exchanged is located at the beginning 
of the series. 

1.98 Additional series of Chief of Staff 
records are described in chapters II and XI. 
Other records originated by the Chief of Staff 
regarding World War II strategy and planning 
can be found among the records of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, RG 218, and the War Plans 


Division/Operations Division, RG 165, described 
in this chapter. George C. Marshall's personal 
papers are in the custody of the Marshall Re¬ 
search Foundation in Lexington, VA. The papers 
include shorthand notebooks kept by the secre¬ 
tary of General Marshall, July 1942-November 
1945 and donated to the Foundation by the 
National Archives in 1977. 

War Plans Division/Operations Division 

1.99 The War Plans Division (WPD) of 
the War Department General Staff was estab¬ 
lished in February 1918, assuming the essential 
functions of the former War College Division. 
The War Department reorganization of 1921 
constituted WPD as the fifth division of the 
General Staff, with primary responsibility for the 
formulation of strategic war plans. WPD would 
also provide a nucleus of officers for a General 
Headquarters (GHQ) to direct operations in the 
field in the event of war. Lesser responsibilities 
of WPD included the location and armament of 
coastal and land fortifications and consultation 
with the Operations and Training Division (G-3) 
and the Supply Division (G-4) on major items of 
equipment. 

1.100 From 1921 to 1942 WPD developed 
plans for the employment of military forces in 
hypothetical situations, represented the Army in 
discussions of interservice strategic planning, 
and prepared studies for use at international 
conferences on armaments limitation. WPD's 
chief served as a member of the Joint Army and 
Navy Board. The strategic plans produced by 
WPD were known as "color" plans until 1940, 
when they were superseded by the more compre¬ 
hensive plans under the designation RAINBOW. 
WPD coordinated its activities with those of 
other General Staff divisions, but lacked authori¬ 
ty to resolve differences. A General Headquar¬ 
ters was established in July 1940, with both 
training and operational responsibilities. The 
latter produced jurisdictional conflicts with 
WPD, which held direct operational responsibili¬ 
ty for Hawaii, the Philippines, and other over- 


24 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


seas departments after Pearl Harbor. The War 
Department reorganization of March 1942 
abolished GHQ and revised and redesignated 
WPD as the Operations Division. 

1.101 Under the new command structure 
the Operations Division (OPD) became the 
wartime command post of the Chief of Staff for 
directing military operations in the field. Its 
responsibilities were broadened to include the 
peacetime preparation and supervision of mobili¬ 
zation and war plans, and the wartime prepara¬ 
tion of plans and policies and the supervision of 
activities regarding the strategic use of the 
Army. As the largest and most powerful General 
Staff division, OPD employed an average of 
150-200 staff officers during the war. In 1946, 
another War Department reorganization redesig¬ 
nated OPD as the Plans and Operations Division. 

1.102 Within OPD, the Strategy and Policy 
Group developed strategic plans and coordinated 
these with other military agencies of the United 
States and other Allied nations, working through 
the committee network of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff and the Combined Chiefs of Staff. The 
Theater Group supervised planning of overseas 
troop movements and served as a small general 
staff for each theater of operations. OPD’s 
Logistics Group correlated logistical resources 
and requirements with strategic plans, and 
prepared status reports and projections of Army 
units and troop strength. The Current Group was 
established in 1944 to receive and analyze 
reports of current military operations and to 
operate a school for the special training of task- 
force and other commanders. A Pan-American 
Group evolved in 1945 from the American 
Theater Section of the Theater Group to coordi¬ 
nate planning and policies for the defense of 
Latin American states. 

1.103 The directors of the War Plans 
Division after the outbreak of World War II 
included Gen. George V. Strong (October 1938- 
December 1940) and Gen. Leonard T. Gerow 
(December 1940-February 1942). The wartime 
chiefs of the Operations Division were Gen. 
Dwight D. Eisenhower (February 1942-June 


1942), Gen. Thomas T. Handy (June 1942- 
October 1944) and Gen. John E. Hull (October 
1944-September 1945). 

1.104 Most significant of the five series of 
WPD records is formerly security-classified 
general correspondence, 1920-42 (103 ft.). The 
series is arranged according to a numerical filing 
scheme, in the larger files of which individual 
documents are assigned subordinate item num¬ 
bers and arranged chronologically. The subjects 
covered by the numerical file include general 
and specific topics and geographic areas. A file 
plan at the beginning of the series lists the 
numerical files and their subjects, including 
subordinate item numbers and subjects. 

1.105 Use of the correspondence files is 
impaired by several filing inconsistencies that 
probably resulted from the 1942 reorganization. 
Many file numbers were either never used or 
their contents were redistributed to later files; 
only a handful of the first 150 numbered files, 
for example, are extant. Subordinate item num¬ 
bers often consist only of cover sheets indicating 
the disposition within WPD of the document 
listed in the file plan. In addition, numerous files 
were transferred to other series without compre¬ 
hensive cross-references. The files for the "col¬ 
or" and RAINBOW war plans, for example, 
were transferred to the top secret correspondence 
files (described below); yet pertinent documents 
sometimes remain in the general correspondence 
files (e.g., file 870, Color Plan BLUE), as do 
related files on administrative aspects of these 
war plans (e.g., 3493 and 3800). Additional files 
have been removed to OPD formerly top secret 
general correspondence relating to the location 
and leasing of Atlantic bases in former British 
possessions, Allied military conferences of 
World War II, and plans for strategic direction 
of operations of military forces in theaters of 
operation (also described below). 

1.106 For the interwar period, file 599 (the 
largest in the series) details international disar¬ 
mament conferences and provides intelligence 
assessments of foreign powers' military capabili¬ 
ties. Files 635, 888, 3774, 3798, 3807, and 3809 


25 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


furnish information on the development of U.S. 
military aviation. The buildup of the U.S. Army 
during the 1939-41 period is described in files 
3674 and 4161, while the production and pro¬ 
curement of materiel is treated in 4321 and 
4494. Extensive documentation of U.S.-British 
staff conferences, December 1940-January 1942, 
is in file 4402, and of Soviet-American negotia¬ 
tions of lend-lease aid in 4557. Files 3251, 4544, 
4559, 4622, and 4639 all describe military 
operations in the Far East after Pearl Harbor; 
4628 and 4630 document the early movement of 
troops and supplies to Australia, and 4389 
concerns American military assistance to China. 

1.107 The series also extensively docu¬ 
ments the establishment of American island bases 
on former British possessions and other islands 
in the Western Hemisphere during the 1940-41 
period. Included is information regarding the 
island bases on Iceland (file 4493); Greenland 
(4173, 4482, 4490); and Bermuda and other 
former British possessions in the Caribbean 
(4351). File 4330 details negotiations with 
Canada on common defense issues during this 
period. 

1.108 In addition to WPD records trans¬ 
ferred to OPD files, original WPD planning 
materials (including final versions and variations 
of specific war plans) can be found among the 
Adjutant General's Office (AGO) plans for the 
defense of the United States and its posses¬ 
sions, 1920-48, and AGO central correspon¬ 
dence files, 1926-54, RG 407, described in this 
chapter. Additional WPD records are also 
located among the records of the Joint Board, 
RG 225, and among the OPD's formerly top- 
secret "American-British Conversations" 
correspondence ("ABC File"), 1940-48, RG 
165; both collections are also described in this 
chapter. 

1.109 Fomierly top secret correspondence 
relating to mobilization plans ("Color" and 
"Quickfire"), 1922-42 (5 ft.), is arranged alpha¬ 
betically by name of color plan, except for the 
last, codenamed QUICKFIRE. The plans project 
the strategic deployment and objectives of U.S. 


forces in hypothetical situations; many plans also 
include data on initial mobilization as well. Plan 
WHITE describes a possible military takeover of 
the United States in the event of a domestic 
emergency. The detailed and comprehensive 
plans ORANGE and RAINBOW provide the 
general framework of American grand strategy 
at the time of the U.S. entry into the war. Plan 
QUICKFIRE was drafted entirely by the Opera¬ 
tions Division in October 1942 and concerns a 
proposed U.S. operation in the Middle East 
(Palestine, Lebanon, Syria) as an alternative to 
the invasion of French North Africa (Operation 
TORCH). 

1.110 The name and subject index to the 
general correspondence of the War Plans 
Division, 1921-42 (9 ft.), facilitates access to 
both the numerical and top secret correspondence 
files. The alphabetically arranged card index 
includes names of individuals who were the 
subjects of correspondence, names of companies 
and associations, names of military bases, 
codenames of operations (including those under 
the index heading "war plans"), geographic 
locations, acronyms of military commands (e.g., 
"ABDA Area"), and general topics. Some 
subjects are indexed under several entries; U.S. 
military aviation, for example, will be found 
under "Aeronautical Board"; "Air Corps, U.S. 
Army"; and "Air Service, U.S. Army," among 
others. Each index card typically includes sever¬ 
al cross-references to documents, each of which 
is identified by file and subordinate item num¬ 
ber, date, and an abstract of its contents. The 
cards also include references to OPD decimal 
files established after the War Department 
reorganization, indicating the index’s continued 
use through the spring of 1942. The index has 
been microfilmed as National Archives Micro¬ 
film Publication M1080. 

1.111 Of the remaining WPD series, for¬ 
merly security-classified general correspon¬ 
dence of the Joint Army-Navy Board, 1910-42 
(10 ft.), consists of Joint Board papers retained 
by the Chief of WPD. The series essentially 
duplicates the arrangement and content of the 


26 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


Joint Board records previously described. The 
series does, however, include handwritten anno¬ 
tations and supplementary studies not found in 
the Joint Board records; for example, the WPD 
file for J.B. 325, serial 634 includes Joint Plan¬ 
ning Committee reports and memorandums that 
closely examine the feasibility of a proposed plan 
of operations. 

1.112 Formerly security-classified Gener¬ 
al Headquarters ("GHQ") correspondence, 
1941-42 (8 ft.), constitutes operational records of 
the short-lived GHQ. The arrangement of the 
files varies according to GHQ staff section or 
field command, comprising GHQ's G-l Section 
(arranged by subject), the G-3, G-4, and Engi¬ 
neer Sections (arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme, often followed by 
miscellaneous subject files), and the Iceland Base 
Command and the Northern Ireland Sub-Theater 
(arranged by a combination of decimal and 
subject schemes). The files provide a wealth of 
information on the movement and supply of U.S. 
troops to Iceland (codenamed INDIGO) and 
Great Britain (largely under the codename 
MAGNET) between the summer of 1941 and the 
spring of 1942. A larger collection of GHQ, 
U.S. Army records, including additional opera¬ 
tional data, is located among the Records of 
Headquarters Army Ground Forces, RG 337, 
described in chapter III. 

1.113 In documenting the Operations 
Division's activities, OPD records demonstrate 
the relationship between the planning and the 
implementation of Allied strategy during the 
war, and include considerable data on the con¬ 
duct of operations. Although these records are 
extensive (ca. 1,000 ft.), they are fairly well 
organized and indexed. The largest series, 
formerly security-classified general correspon¬ 
dence, 1942-45 (537 ft.), consists of reports, 
memorandums, and correspondence containing 
national security information formerly classified 
below the top secret level. Most of the series 
(ca. 463 ft.) is arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme, thereunder by case 
numbers that are usually chronological. Two 


smaller subseries, comprising collections of 
"201" name files (for specific senior and staff 
officers) and of project files (for specific subjects 
or geographic areas), complete the series. At the 
beginning of each file in the decimal and "201" 
subseries is a master sheet ("list of papers") that 
lists the contents of each file, providing the 
identification of originator, recipient, date, and 
synopsis of contents for each case number 
(including references to withdrawn or transferred 
items). 

1.114 All files in the decimal subseries 
include the prefix "OPD." As illustrated below, 
a single subject may be located among several 
files. Where appropriate, these files incorporate 
geographic areas and military commands and 
departments subsequent to a general subject 
entry; thus file OPD 320.2 provides general 
information on the activation and strength of 
U.S. Army units, while files OPD 320.2 Africa 
through 320.2 Western Defense Command detail 
this information for specific areas and com¬ 
mands. Occasionally, however, significant 
differences distinguish files sharing the same 
decimal classification; OPD 385, for example, 
contains general suggestions (often from private 
citizens) on military strategy, while OPD 385 
Chemical Warfare Program documents specific 
U.S. chemical warfare projects and intelligence 
on Axis efforts in the same field. 

1.115 The planning and conduct of military 
operations, the most significant among numerous 
topics covered, receives extensive treatment. 
Files OPD 381 through 381 TORCH (including 
separate entries for each theater of operations) 
document the formulation and coordination of 
strategy and operational planning, as well as the 
general execution of these plans. After-action 
reports, summaries of combat lessons learned 
and other operational data are located in OPD 
319.1 through 319.1 Southwest Pacific Area. A 
large collection of the daily situation reports 
prepared by the G-3 (Operations) Section of 
Allied Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) in the 
Mediterranean theater, April 1943-May 1945, is 
located in OPD 300.6 European Theater of 


27 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Operations. File OPD 350.05 Daily War Depart¬ 
ment Summaries provides a daily recounting of 
current operations and reported combat inci¬ 
dents, June 1942-August 1943. Intelligence data 
regarding Axis unit strengths and losses can be 
found in OPD 350.05 through 350.05 Russia and 
OPD 336.2 Germany through 336.2 Japan. 
Strategic estimates of German and Japanese 
capabilities and intentions are located OPD 380 
Axis. 

1.116 Minutes of meetings involving OPD 
participation are filed under OPD 334.8. Most 
notable among these are the minutes of the War 
Department General Council, May 1942-Decem- 
ber 1945, which constitute a virtual war diary of 
the General Staffs activities during this period, 
including OPD's weekly summary of overseas 
combat operations. Files OPD 334.8 Office of 
Strategic Services (OSS) and OPD 334.8 Office 
of War Information (OWI) detail those organiza¬ 
tions' relations with the Army. There are also 
files concerning the Combined Chiefs of Staff, 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and their subordinate 
committees. 

1.117 Information regarding U.S. military 
aviation in the series is scattered and uneven. 
Some information on aerial bombardment opera¬ 
tions is located in OPD 353.4, and some opera¬ 
tional reports can be found in OPD 319.1. A 
number of aerial reconnaissance reports and 
photographs are included in OPD 350.08. Data 
concerning aircraft allocation and strength is 
located in files OPD 452.1 through 452.1 Vene¬ 
zuela. File OPD 580 pertains to general aviation 
issues; OPD 580.82 and OPD 686 Africa 
through 686 Newfoundland detail airfield con¬ 
struction and maintenance. 

1.118 The wide range of topics covered in 
these files also includes U.S. relations with, and 
technical and material aid to, other Allied na¬ 
tions (OPD 336 through 336 Yugoslavia and 
OPD 400.3295); information on policies regard¬ 
ing Allied and Axis prisoners of war (POWs) 
throughout the war (OPD 381 POW); civil 
affairs planning for occupied areas under U.S. 
military government (OPD 014.1 through 014.1 


Pacific Theater of Operations and OPD 336 
Germany and Japan); logistical support for 
combat units (all OPD files under numbers 400 
through 451 and 460 through 475); the installa¬ 
tion and use of radar (OPD 413.68 through 
413.68 Western Defense Command); and details 
of U.S. seacoast defenses (OPD 660.2 through 
660.2 Underwater Detectors). 

1.119 The "201" name file subseries (25 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by surname, consists 
of personnel data for officers who served in 
OPD and for Army and Navy officers who 
communicated directly with OPD during the 
1942-46 period. These are not complete service 
records, they simply recount duty assignments, 
transfers, requests for leave, and commendations 
for awards for this period; many folders also 
include performance evaluations. Some files 
include substantive operational data; e.g., the file 
for Gen. Follett Bradley details his mission to 
the USSR to establish an air ferry route for 
material aid, July-December 1942. For other 
individuals, only cross-reference sheets are 
provided with citations to relevant materials in 
the OPD decimal subseries. Although there are 
no files for Generals Marshall or Eisenhower, 
extant "201" files include Adm. Ernest J. King; 
Gens. Douglas Mac Arthur, Henry H. ("Hap") 
Arnold, Omar Bradley, George S. Patton, James 
Doolittle, and Courtney Hodges; OSS Director 
Col. William J. Donovan; and Capt. Eddie V. 
Rickenbacker. Due to their privileged content, 
access to these files is subject to the general 
restrictions of the National Archives. 

1.120 The project files subseries (49 ft.) 
constitutes an invaluable collection of reports, 
operational studies, conference notes, and subject 
files, arranged alphabetically by title or subject. 
The files include many items formerly classified 
top secret. Most of the files pertain to operations 
in the Pacific theater, including operational plans 
for the invasions of the Mariana Islands (under 
codename FORAGER); the Philippine Islands 
(under codenames GEORGE, KING, MIKE, 
MONTCLAIR, MUSKETEER, and VICTOR); 
Iwo Jima (DETACHMENT); Okinawa (ICE- 


28 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


BERG); and Japan proper (BLACKLIST, COR¬ 
ONET, DOWNFALL, and OLYMPIC); topo¬ 
graphical surveys of Pacific island groups; 
tactical plans, operations orders, and some action 
reports for U.S. Navy task forces' operations in 
the Pacific, filed under "Task Forces" (e.g., 
Task Forces 51 and 52 for the invasion of 
Okinawa, Task Force 56 for the assaults on the 
Marianas and I wo Jima); and daily summaries of 
aerial operations against Japan (filed under 
American Theater Operations Reports, May 
1944-March 1945, and XX and XXI Bomber 
Command Reports, May-August 1945). 

1.121 Daily summaries of operations are 
available for the European theater of operations, 
March 1943-June 1945, the Mediterranean 
theater of operations, August 1944-April 1945, 
and the North African theater of operations, 
January-October 1944; there are also aircraft 
status reports for the Eighth and Ninth Air 
Forces, August 1943-October 1944. Information 
concerning U.S. military assistance and coopera¬ 
tion with Latin American nations, particularly 
for the 1940-42 period, can be found in the files 
for the Joint Advisory Board on American 
Republics (including original records of that 
agency), the Pan-American Group, Records of 
Conversations, and Spanish Documents. Files 
documenting the central coordinating role of 
OPD includes digests of messages received by 
OPD, June 1942-June 1943, and transcripts of 
telephone conversations of OPD officers with 
senior Army and Navy officials, June 1943- 
August 1945. 

1.122 Formerly top secret general corre¬ 
spondence, 1942-45 (59 ft.), is arranged in two 
chronological subseries, 1942-44 and 1945, and 
thereunder according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. Larger files are arranged by 
case numbers that are usually chronological; 
each file also includes a content list. The ar¬ 
rangement of subject matter duplicates that of the 
general correspondence files, but the top secret 
files more frequently reflect high-level policy 
decisions or deal with more sensitive topics. File 
OPD 385 TS, for example, provides more 


detailed information on the nature and contem¬ 
plated use of U.S. chemical and biological 
warfare efforts than can be found in its counter¬ 
part in the general correspondence. The most 
extensive of the top secret files are contained 
under decimals 320.2 (regarding U.S. Army 
organization, deployment, and strength) and 381 
(the conduct of operations in all theaters). The 
latter file in the 1942-44 subseries includes 
detailed information on the Allied bomber 
offensive against Germany (case 113) and 
Operation OVERLORD, the Allied invasion of 
Normandy (case 217). Decimal 336 covers a 
broad range of foreign relations topics; e.g., file 
OPD 336 TS (1942-44), cases 140 and 152, 
detail U.S. air operations in support of the 1944 
uprising of the Polish Resistance in Warsaw, 
while OPD 336 TS (1945), case 233, provides 
extensive data on the activities of the U.S. 
Military Mission to the USSR. 

1.123 Two indexes facilitate access to the 
OPD general and top secret correspondence 
(treated by both indexes as a single body), 
although neither index includes references to the 
project subseries of the security-classified gener¬ 
al correspondence. Cross-reference sheets to 
formerly security-classified correspondence (12 
ft.), representing general subjects arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme, provide citations to relevant documents 
by OPD file number, office, and date of origin, 
and a synopsis of contents. Particularly useful 
are the comprehensive cross-references to coun¬ 
tries and geographic areas under decimal classi¬ 
fication 091, arranged alphabetically (e.g., 091 
Germany, 091 Greenland, etc.), as well as the 
cross-references to nonmilitary individuals and 
organizations under decimal 095 and to military 
personnel under decimal 201. Less significant is 
a card index to correspondence (14 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged in three subseries for "troop move¬ 
ments," "messages," and "letters," each arranged 
numerically. The cards provide citations to OPD 
files and sometimes include abstracts of the 
documents they index. 


29 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


1.124 OPD files also include three collec¬ 
tions of message files. The microfilm copy of 
the secret message file of the Plans and Oper¬ 
ations Division, 1941-47, consists of 451 rolls 
of 16mm microfilm, reproduced as National 
Archives Microfilm Publication T979. Most of 
these (rolls 8-361) consist of radio communica¬ 
tions, security-classified below the "top secret" 
level, received or dispatched by OPD from April 
1, 1942, through December 31, 1947. Messages 
through December 31, 1945 (roll 361) have been 
declassified. They are arranged chronologically, 
with each day's messages divided into outgoing 
and incoming; each communication also has a 
CM-IN (Classified Message-Incoming) or 
CM-OUT (Classified Message-Outgoing) numer¬ 
ical designations, which run consecutively 
through each month. A register of messages 
received and sent usually precedes each day's 
collection. The subject matter ranges widely over 
administrative, personnel, logistical, and some 
operational issues, including information pertain¬ 
ing to forces of other Allied Powers. 

1.125 The first eight rolls reproduce the 
message files of the War Plans Division, De¬ 
cember 7, 1941-March 31, 1942, which differ 
significantly from the OPD messages. The WPD 
messages, which include many documents classi¬ 
fied as "Most Secret," the highest American 
security classification for this period, constitute 
the most complete collection of communications 
for the United States' first four months at war. 
Usually arranged chronologically, messages 
received consecutive case numbers but without 
the later distinction between those sent and those 
received. Separate numerical series were appar¬ 
ently also used for communications with specific 
stations. The message files are not limited to 
radio communications, but include reports, 
memorandums, transcripts of telephone conver¬ 
sations, and other correspondence. They are 
particularly valuable for the information they 
provide on defensive operations of U.S. and 
Filipino forces in 1941-42, many of the original 
records for which did not survive. 


1.126 Formerly top secret incoming and 
outgoing "OPD" messages, 1942-46 (24 ft.), 
are divided into incoming and outgoing subse¬ 
ries, arranged chronologically and thereunder by 
classified message incoming or outgoing number. 
The sensitive nature of these communications 
required special handling, and often involved 
direct messages among Allied theater commands 
and such general officers as Marshall, Eisenhow¬ 
er, MacArthur, and Stilwell on political and 
operational questions, especially those concern¬ 
ing relations among the Allied Powers. Incoming 
messages are dated April 19, 1942-December 
31, 1945; outgoing messages are dated May 12, 
1942-December 31, 1945. Included at the end of 
the series are transcripts of top secret telephone 
conversations among staff officers, primarily 
between Washington and theater headquarters, 
July 1943-December 1946. 

1.127 Formerly security-classified selected 
abstracts of messages of the Operations Divi¬ 
sion (OPD Logs), 1942-45 (4 ft.), consist of 
information copies of communications routinely 
forwarded to or maintained by OPD. Arranged 
chronologically, the files consist of complete 
messages that relate to strategic intelligence and 
military operations. They appear to be largely 
duplicated in the message files, but include some 
high-level communications (e.g., political intelli¬ 
gence from U.S. State Department representa¬ 
tives) addressed to other sections of the War 
Department. Incoming communications are dated 
April 1, 1942-August 17, 1945; outgoing com¬ 
munications, June 6, 1942-August 16, 1945. 

1.128 Formerly top secret "American- 
British Conversations" correspondence (or 
"ABC" File) relating to organizational plan¬ 
ning and general combat operations during 
World War II and the early postwar period, 
1940-48 (211 ft.), documents OPD's participa¬ 
tion in joint or combined strategic planning and 
policy. Maintained by the Strategy and Policy 
Group during the war, the files are arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme and thereunder chronologically. They are 
similar in nature to the central and geographic 


30 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


files of the Combined Chiefs of Staff/Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, whose documents they often 
duplicate. The files also include considerable 
information on postwar planning for Europe and 
Asia during the 1945-48 period. 

1.129 Each file designation includes the 
prefix "ABC," a decimal number, and the date 
of the first document in the file; lengthy files are 
divided into numbered sections, also arranged 
chronologically. As with the OPD general 
correspondence files, geographic areas, organi¬ 
zations, codenamed operations, and military 
commands are incorporated into the files subse¬ 
quent to the general decimal entry (e.g., decimal 
ABC 381 is followed by 381 Alaska, 381 Atom¬ 
ic Energy Commission, etc.). Some files include 
index sheets that list their contents; more com¬ 
mon are cross-reference sheets that refer to other 
ABC files related to the same subject matter. 

1.130 Information concerning operational 
planning is largely divided among the files under 
decimals 381 and 384. Plans and preparations 
for the Normandy invasion, for example, can be 
found in files ABC 381 (1-22-43), 381 BOLERO 
(3-16-42), 384 Europe (8-5-43), and 384 North¬ 
west Europe (8-20-43). The role of the Strategy 
and Policy Group in operational planning is 
documented in file ABC 381 Strategy Section 
Papers. Assessments of fundamental U.S. policy 
and interests are located in ABC 336 (5-17-43). 

1.131 Individual subjects are often scattered 
among several files. For intelligence, general 
data and strategic estimates can be found under 
decimal 350.05; translations of captured Japa¬ 
nese and Yugoslav Chetnik documents are 
located in files ABC 350.09 Japan (6-8-44) and 
ABC 091.711 Yugoslavia (11-27-43), respective¬ 
ly; and ABC 334.8 Combined Intelligence 
Objectives Subcommittee (7-30-44) includes 
extensive interrogations and reports regarding 
German scientific and technical developments. 
Civil affairs planning for the occupation of Japan 
is principally located in ABC 014 Japan 
(4-13-44), while equivalent material for Germa¬ 
ny is filed in ABC 387 Germany (12-18-43). 


1.132 Conversely, single decimal file 
classifications may cover several subjects. Most 
of the files under ABC 452.1 pertain to aircraft 
allocation, but ABC 452.1 (3-16-43) documents 
aerial operations against Axis submarines. The 
files under decimal 383.6 include information 
not only on Allied and Axis prisoners of war, 
but also on the investigation of alleged war 
crimes and the proposed elimination of bypassed 
Japanese garrisons. File ABC 471.6 (10-7-43) 
details plans for the use of guided missiles and 
for countermeasures against German V-l and 
V-2 weapons; ABC 471.6 Atom (8-17-45) 
documents the development of the atomic bomb 
and its use against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

1.133 The card index to correspondence 
in the "ABC" file (45 ft.) consists of two subse¬ 
ries. The first provides an index to the numbered 
papers of the Allied Control Commission, the 
State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee, the 
Combined Chiefs of Staff, the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff, and their subordinate committees. Ar¬ 
ranged alphabetically by organization and there¬ 
under by paper number, the cards furnish refer¬ 
ences to the appropriate ABC file and section 
number and to the subject of the paper. The 
second subseries constitutes a comprehensive 
subject index, arranged alphabetically and there¬ 
under chronologically for broader subjects (e.g., 
"equipment," "Germany"). These index cards 
include references to the ABC file and section 
number, related subject headings in the index, 
and a synopsis and date of the document in¬ 
dexed. 

1.134 Formerly top secret general corre¬ 
spondence relating to the location and leasing 
of Atlantic bases in British possessions, Allied 
military conferences of World War II, and 
plans for the strategic direction of operations 
of military forces in theaters of operations, 
1940-45 (38 ft.), also known as the OPD Exec. 
Files, were maintained by the OPD's Executive 
Group primarily for the use of the Assistant 
Chief of Staff. Because of their closely restricted 
use and sensitive contents, the Exec. Files were 
neither systematically arranged nor indexed, but 


31 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


grouped by general subject categories designated 
as "Exec." numbers, and thereunder by individu¬ 
al subject or chronological period, designated as 
"Item" or "Book" numbers. Records within the 
files are dated as early as 1920 and as late as 
1947. A listing is included at the beginning of 
the series. 

1.135 Although all concern matters of high- 
level strategy and planning, the 17 general 
subject categories vary greatly in focus and 
extent. Some are quite specific: Exec. #3 deals 
entirely with planning for Operation HUSKY, 
the 1943 invasion of Sicily, while Exec. #13 
details the establishment or leasing of air and sea 
bases in the area of the Atlantic Ocean, 1940-41. 
Other subject categories are defined by periods; 
Exec. #4, for example, pertains to prewar and 
early wartime strategic plans of the War Plans 
Division, 1931-42 (including original WPD 
documents withdrawn from the WPD general 
correspondence files). Still others, however, are 
general and extensive in nature; Exec. #10, for 
example, includes subordinate item numbers that 
detail military operations from Pearl Harbor 
through the organization and equipping of Free 
French forces, July-September 1944, as well as 
collections of OPD draft memorandums for 
President Roosevelt and Chief of Staff Marshall, 
March 1942-April 1945, and messages ex¬ 
changed between Roosevelt and Prime Minister 
Churchill, March 1942-June 1945. 

1.136 Among the remaining series of OPD 
records, the most significant are formerly 
security-classified reports, bulletins, messages, 
diaries, daily summaries and correspondence, 
1941-47 (24 ft.), maintained by OPD's Current 
Group on a continuing basis during the war and 
arranged alphabetically by title or subject. These 
regular reports include the "OPD Diary" of 
messages received, actions taken, and current 
plans, March 1942-March 1947; the "Daily 
Summary of War Department Operational Deci¬ 
sions and Actions" and its successor, "War 
Department Operational Summary," December 
1941-September 1946; "Daily Summaries (Euro¬ 
pean theater of operations)," July 1944-July 


1946, with the most detailed operational data; 
the "OPD Information Bulletin," January 1944- 
June 1945, with practical suggestions regarding 
battle tactics and equipment use; special weekly 
summaries, the "Monday Summary," December 
1942-December 1945, and the "Tuesday Sum¬ 
mary," September 1942-November 1943; and the 
"Daily Situation Summaries," August 1943- 
August 1945, primarily relating to Allied air 
operations in all theaters. (Much of this material 
is duplicated in the OPD formerly security- 
classified general correspondence, 1942-1945.) 

1.137 This series also includes the Current 
Group's bulletins of "Combat Lessons," 1944- 
45; Office of Naval Intelligence combat narra¬ 
tives on engagements off Midway and in the 
Solomon Islands, 1942-43; historical data for 
Allied operational commands (armies, corps, 
divisions) during World War II; and collected 
reports on operations in Burma, 1942, Buna 
(New Guinea), 1942-43, and the Rapido River 
attack (Italy), 1944. 

1.138 Formerly security-classified re¬ 
ports, station lists and directories, and corre¬ 
spondence relating to the requisition and 
allocation of troops in various theaters of 
operations, 1942-44 (3 ft.), arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by subject, were maintained by OPD's 
Logistics Group. The records include informa¬ 
tion on the activation, disbandment, and redesig¬ 
nation of Army units in all theaters; Army Post 
Office (APO) numbers assigned and revised for 
Army units; and weekly or daily activation and 
movement reports, primarily for AAF units, 
February 1945-September 1946. 

1.139 A number of records series cannot be 
identified according to individual office of origin 
within OPD. Formerly security-classified 
correspondence relating to operations and 
mobilization planning, 1941-46 (2 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by operations plan or geographic 
area, contains contingency and operational plans 
for anticipated and actual occupations of strategic 
areas (e.g., Dakar, Cape Verde Islands, north¬ 
eastern Brazil, Liberia) in 1942. The files also 
contain data on U.S. forces stationed in Iceland, 


32 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


Greenland, and Northern Ireland in early 1942, 
and include a history of OPD’s Strategy and 
Policy Group. Formerly security-classified 
troop redeployment and requirement fore¬ 
casts, 1943-46 (4 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
title or subject, include plans for the 
redeployment of U.S. forces, 1945, and general 
assessments of troop requirements, 1943-46. 

1.140 Directives, lectures, correspondence 
and other papers relating to the training of 
staff officers and the plans and operations of 
U.S. troops covering all theaters of opera¬ 
tions, 1942-44 (3 ft.), arranged numerically by 
training group number (I-VIII), essentially 
comprise administrative and personnel data but 
include some information on amphibious train¬ 
ing. Completed cases of the Joint Communica¬ 
tions Board ("JCB") and the Combined Com¬ 
munications Board ("CCB"), 1942-47 (2 ft ), 
document the use of communications and signal 
equipment, radar, and cryptographic systems, 
generally arranged chronologically. Formerly 
security-classified World War II code words, 
1941-46 (1 ft.), detail codenames used for actual 
and "cover" operations as well as for geographic 
locations; they are arranged by volume number 
and thereunder chronologically. 

1.141 Additional small series of OPD 
records are described in chapters V, X, and XII. 
The records of OPD's successor, the Plans and 
Operations Division, are located among the 
Records of the Army Staff, RG 319; records 
pertinent to World War II are described in this 
chapter. 

Civil Affairs Division 

1.142 The Civil Affairs Division (CAD) 
was established within the War Department 
General Staff in March 1943 to formulate and 
coordinate U.S. military policy in the adminis¬ 
tration and government of captured and liberated 
areas. CAD also exercised policy control over 
the selection and training of civil-affairs person¬ 
nel who were employed by the Provost Marshal 
General’s Office to accomplish these tasks. The 


division included the Director and his chief aides 
(collectively termed the Planners), the Econom¬ 
ics and Relief Branch (a 1944 consolidation of 
the earlier Civilian Relief and Economics 
Branches), the Government Branch (originally 
the Military Government Branch), and the 
Personnel and Training Branch. 

1.143 The principal documentation of CAD 
consists of formerly security-classified general 
correspondence, 1943-July 1949 (181 ft.), 
arranged in five chronological subseries (1943- 
44, January 1945-June 10, 1946, June 11, 1946- 
December 1947, January-December 1948, and 
January-July 1949), and thereunder according to 
the War Department decimal scheme. The larger 
decimal classifications (especially 014) are 
thereunder arranged alphabetically by country or 
by organization and thereunder chronologically. 
In addition to CAD documentation, the series 
includes extensive records originated by British 
and Allied organizations involved in civil affairs. 

1.144 Most pertinent for wartime documen¬ 
tation is the 1943-44 subseries (57 ft.), which 
despite the indicated date span includes materials 
dated as late as July 1945. Decimal 014 particu¬ 
larly documents the formulation of civil affairs 
policies and planning for the occupation of Italy, 
Germany, and Japan, as well as the administra¬ 
tion of civil affairs in liberated France, Belgium, 
the Netherlands, and Italy. The materials in 014 
Germany, for example, include plans and direc¬ 
tives for the division of Germany among the 
Allied powers during the occupation; correspon¬ 
dence and proposals for the control of German 
food, industry, finance, and public health; 
intelligence reports on conditions and morale 
within Germany; British and JCS assessments of 
German morale; information guides to German 
archives; and records relating to occupation 
policy in Germany, 1944-45. Closely related are 
correspondence relating to occupation currency 
(123); periodic reports of civil affairs field units 
in occupied Germany, 1944-45 (319.1 CA 
Field); editorials, advertisements, and publica¬ 
tions by private groups advocating a harsh 
occupation policy (000.75); and documentation 


33 



Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


of the coordination of plans and policies with the 
civil affairs section of Eisenhower's SHAEF 
Headquarters (370.21 COSSAC). 

1.145 The 1943-44 subseries also includes 
numerous reports of the Psychological Warfare 
Branch and the G-2 Section of Allied Forces 
Headquarters (AFHQ) regarding conditions in 
German-occupied Italy, 1944-45 (decimals 319.1 
Foreign, 319.1 G-2, and 319.1 Psychological 
Warfare); reports of the Allied Control Commis¬ 
sion concerning conditions in liberated Italy, 
1944-45 (319.1 ACC); field memorandums of 
the OSS' R&A Branch on conditions in France, 
Germany, Italy, Yugoslavia, and Austria, 1944- 
45 (319.1 OSS); military government handbooks 
and other CAD publications (461); and informa¬ 
tion on the training of civil affairs personnel 
(353). 

1.146 Within the 1945-46 subseries, infor¬ 
mation concerning occupation policies in Germa¬ 
ny and Japan are more heavily concentrated in 
decimal 014 (including, for example, publica¬ 
tions by private groups). The subseries also 
includes much information regarding the treat¬ 
ment of refugees in occupied areas (383.7). The 
1946-47 subseries is particularly useful for 
correspondence relating to the investigation of 
Axis war crimes (250.401 War Crimes). 

1.147 Cross-reference sheets to the for¬ 
merly security-classified general correspon¬ 
dence, 1943-July 1949 (199 ft.), serve as a 
finding aid to the series. The arrangement here 
duplicates that of the correspondence, with the 
exception that the 1943-44 subseries is organized 
into a decimal and an alphabetical country/area 
arrangement. The cross-reference or index sheets 
identify individual items of correspondence or 
reports, indicating the date, originator, synopsis 
of contents, and decimal classification for each. 
As the series includes references to materials 
still security classified, it is not available for 
general research. 

1.148 Only portions of the top secret 
general correspondence, 1945-July 1949 (18 
ft.), have been declassified. The series is ar¬ 
ranged in three chronological subseries (1945-47, 


1948, and January-July 1949) and thereunder 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme; even the 1945-47 subseries for the most 
part documents the postwar period. Declassified 
segments within the last include some informa¬ 
tion concerning the disposition of Jewish dis¬ 
placed persons in Germany at war's end (383.7). 
The accompanying cross-reference sheets to the 
top secret correspondence, 1945-July 1949 (5 
ft.), arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, have not been reviewed for 
declassification. 

1.149 Formerly top secret incoming and 
outgoing messages, November 1942-JuIy 1949 

(5 ft.), arranged for the most part into "incom¬ 
ing" and "outgoing" messages and thereunder 
chronologically, also pertain mostly to the 
postwar period. Included, however, is a mixed 
collection of "eyes only" messages sent and 
received for the period November 1942-Decem- 
ber 1943, with significant information concern¬ 
ing Allied relations with Vichy French represen¬ 
tative Admiral Darlan and the political situation 
in North Africa. 

1.150 Also significant are formerly securi¬ 
ty-classified papers of the Army member of 
the Combined Civil Affairs Committee 
(CCAC), January 1942-June 1949 (30 ft ), 
arranged alphabetically by name of committee or 
subcommittee and thereunder numerically by 
paper number. These largely duplicate the 
CCAC materials located among JCS records 
described in this chapter, but include annotations 
and supplementary materials that reflect CAD's 
position on key civil affairs issues. This is 
particularly significant for papers of the State- 
War-Navy Coordinating Committee (SWNCC) 
and its constituent subcommittees (e.g., the 
Subcommittee for the Far East) during the 1945- 
47 period. 

1.151 The Government Branch's formerly 
security-classified policy and planning corre¬ 
spondence relating to the administration and 
operation of government in liberated and 
occupied areas, 1943-47 (7 ft.), contains a 
subject subseries that incorporates general topics 


34 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


(e.g., economic aid, reparations) with country 
files. This is followed by a subseries for individ¬ 
uals (staff officers, dependents, others), thereun¬ 
der arranged alphabetically by surname. 

1.152 Other CAD series include formerly 
security-classified transcripts of teletype 
conversations relating to military government 
and civil affairs functions, February 1946- 
June 1949 (9 ft.), arranged numerically by 
teletype number and thereunder chronologically; 
the formerly security-classified office file of 
the executive officer, January 1943-June 1946 
(2 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject or by 
codename, including organizational charts at the 
end of the series; formerly security-classified 
reports and correspondence of the Informa¬ 
tion Branch, 1943-47 (4 ft.), arranged alphabet¬ 
ically by subject, including a draft history of the 
military government training program; and four 
other series (totaling 19 ft.) originated by the 
Information Branch, including background 
studies of specific regions in Germany and 
correspondence relating to the International 
Refugee Organization's activities in assisting war 
refugees. 

1.153 Some historical materials relating to 
CAD operations are located among the records 
of the Army Staff, RG 319, described in this 
chapter. Records of wartime civil affairs activi¬ 
ties are also located among the records of vari¬ 
ous Allied and U.S. operational commands, 
described in chapters XI, XII, and XIII; those 
for Italy (chapter XII) are particularly extensive. 
Information on the training of civil affairs 
officers is located among the Records of the 
Office of the Provost Marshal General, RG 389, 
described in chapter V. The postwar conduct of 
civil affairs and military government in Europe 
and Asia, including some wartime documenta¬ 
tion, is documented among Records of United 
States Occupation Headquarters, World War II, 
RG 260, and the records of the Supreme Com¬ 
mander, Allied Powers (SCAP), among the 
Records of Allied Operational and Occupation 
Headquarters, World War II, RG 331. 


RG 319 RECORDS OF THE ARMY 
STAFF 

Plans and Operations Division 

1.154 As noted in the history of the Opera¬ 
tions Division above, a War Department reorga¬ 
nization in 1946 redesignated that staff section as 
the Plans and Operations (P&O) Division. 
Although they postdate the end of World War II, 
the P&O Division records often relate to the 
conflict, either in the continuation of processes 
begun before war's end or in the deliberate study 
of wartime activities or events. 

1.155 Formerly secret general correspon¬ 
dence of the Plans and Operations Division, 
1946-50 (243 ft.), is divided into chronological 
subseries and thereunder arranged according to 
the War Department decimal scheme. Individual 
items within files are arranged chronologically 
by case numbers. The 1946-48 subseries (166 
ft.) is particularly significant for the information 
it provides relating to the war. The continuing 
investigations of war crimes and treason cases 
can be found in decimal 000.5; civil affairs and 
military government in occupied Germany and 
Japan are described in 014.1, 091 Germany, 091 
Japan, and 311.23 Civil Affairs Division. Data 
regarding U.S. Army troop reductions and unit 
deactivations are located in file 320.2. File 383.6 
documents problems and delays encountered in 
the repatriation of Axis and American prisoners 
of war. 

1.156 A number of files contain historical 
studies or official investigations of specific 
wartime incidents or aspects. Within decimal 
381, case 1 consists of correspondence and 
reports relating to the Congressional investiga¬ 
tion of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; case 
52 constitutes a collection of the final reports 
issued by the United States Strategic Bombing 
Survey on the bombing of Japan and Germany. 
Decimal 320, case 20 includes 131 reports 
prepared by the U.S. Forces, European Theater 
General Board, evaluating the overall organiza¬ 
tion, administration and performance of U.S. 


35 



Record Group 319 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


forces in the European theater of operations, 
1944-45. Decimal 314.7 includes several perti¬ 
nent historical studies, notably a history of the 
Air Transport Command's South Atlantic Divi¬ 
sion, a monograph on combat operations data for 
the First U.S. Army in Europe, 1944-45, and an 
analytical guide to the records of Allied Forces 
Headquarters. Other examples include an investi¬ 
gation into the defeat suffered by U.S. forces at 
the Rapido River, Italy, January 1944 (319.1, 
case 32), and studies of German guided missiles 
(471.94, case 4) and of German underground 
installations (600.1, case 28). 

1.157 Even the 1949-50 subseries (77 ft.) 
contains some data pertinent to World War II 
dispersed among its files. Information on the 
completion of war crimes investigations and 
trials can be found in decimal 000.5. File 020 
Operations Research Office includes several 
analytical studies on such topics as the effects of 
strategic bombing on German morale and the 
effectiveness of body armor in preventing 
wounds. A study of the precedence system 
employed in the Army's procurement of elec¬ 
tronic equipment during the war is located in 
314.7, case 23/2. 

1.158 Formerly top secret general corre¬ 
spondence of the Plans and Operations Divi¬ 
sion, 1946-50 (89 ft.), which follows the same 
arrangement as that for the preceding series, 
contains only scattered items relating to the war. 
Examples among the 1946-48 subseries include 
a survey of biological warfare efforts by all 
major powers during World War II (381, case 
67/3); a historical summary of the operations of 
the Southeast Asia Command (319.1, case 57); 
and reports on the retention, labor use, and 
repatriation of Japanese prisoners of war after 
Japan's surrender (383.6). 

1.159 Indexes to the formerly secret and 
top secret general correspondence of the Plans 
and Operations Division, 1946-50 (20 ft.), are 
similarly divided into chronological subseries 
(1946-48 and 1949-50), with indexed subjects 
thereunder arranged according to the War De¬ 
partment decimal scheme. Index sheets provide 


citations to relevant documents by P&O Division 
file number, office, and date of origin, and the 
title or synopsis of contents. Documents former¬ 
ly security classified as "top secret" are so 
indicated. Particularly useful are the entries for 
countries and geographic areas (file 091, there¬ 
under alphabetically), individuals other than 
military personnel (095, thereunder alphabetical¬ 
ly), and military personnel (201, thereunder 
alphabetically). 

Chief of Staff 

1.160 Most records of the Office of the 
Chief of Staff (OC/S) pertaining to World War 
II have already been described. Within the OC/S 
Secretariat, the War Department Classified 
Message Center maintained central files of all 
signal communications that it processed during 
the war. (The previously described formerly top 
secret and secret message files of the Operations 
Division represent only the communications for 
that section.) The message files were continued 
after the war under the authority of the Staff 
Communications Branch, Office of the Chief of 
Staff. 

1.161 The most comprehensive collection 
of wartime radio messages is thus located among 
the Headquarters, Department of the Army 
Message Center, microfilmed messages 1942- 
62. Those communications pertaining to World 
War II are reproduced on over 2,000 rolls of 
16mm microfilm, arranged in several subseries 
according to source (for incoming messages) or 
destination (for outgoing), and generally thereun¬ 
der chronologically. Preservation and declassifi¬ 
cation considerations, however, preclude access 
to these records. For these reasons, the OPD 
message files remain the most pertinent wartime 
collection, supplemented by those of the G-2 
(Intelligence) Division described in chapter VIII. 

Historical Manuscripts 

1.162 The Records of the Army Staff also 
include historical manuscripts created or collect- 


36 




Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 319 


ed by the Office of the Chief of Military History 
(OCMH), and its predecessor, the Historical 
Division, 1946-85, in the preparation of official 
histories under the general title The U.S. Army 
in World War II. Four volumes in the series The 
War Department pertain specifically to wartime 
planning and strategy, and a fifth to military 
government and civil affairs; each volume con¬ 
sists of successive drafts of the manuscript and 
a variable amount of background material. The 
materials for the five volumes amount to approx¬ 
imately 20 ft. 

1.163 Arranged by volume, the draft 
versions of the manuscript constitute most of 
each entry. Background materials include edito¬ 
rial critiques and recommendations within 
OCMH, commentaries by senior staff officers 
who participated in planning functions, research 
notes of the author, and originals or copies of 
official records pertinent to the topic. The 
participants' comments are particularly valuable 
for their retrospective assessments of wartime 
operations. In addition, the internal critiques and 
recommendations provide source material for the 
official interpretation of wartime events and 
personalities. 

1.164 Of the five volumes, the most signifi¬ 
cant for background material is Ray S. Cline, 
Washington Command Post: The Operations 
Division (Washington, DC, 1951), with more 
than 6 ft. of records. Background materials 
include extensive organizational and personnel 
data regarding OPD, and commentaries by 
former OPD staff officers. Included are WPD 
and OPD organizational charts; statistical data on 
the backgrounds and careers of staff officers who 
served with WPD and OPD; original records 
concerning early strategic planning for opera¬ 
tions in Europe (Operations GYMNAST and 
BOLERO); detailed critiques of OPD by General 
Staff officers (including Gen. Leonard Gerow, 
chief of WPD, 1940-42); and general comments 
by other participants, including Gens. Dwight D. 
Eisenhower and George C. Marshall. 

1.165 An additional 5 ft. of background 
materials compose the Operations Division 


History Unit file, 1942-46, a collection of 
administrative notices, rosters, and organization¬ 
al data compiled by Ray Cline during his re¬ 
search and cited in the text as the "OPD History 
Unit files." 

1.166 Background materials for the remain¬ 
ing volumes are significant for their commentar¬ 
ies and critiques. Mark S. Watson, Chief of 
Staff: Prewar Plans and Preparations (Wash¬ 
ington, DC, 1950), 3 ft., includes comments by 
Marshall and several General Staff officers, as 
well as former Secretary of War Robert P. 
Patterson, Commanding General of the Army 
Air Forces Henry H. Arnold, General of the 
Armies Douglas MacArthur, and Gen. Walter C. 
Short, Commanding General of the Hawaiian 
Department when Pearl Harbor was attacked. 
The remaining volumes are Maurice Matloff, 
Strategic Planning for Coalition Warfare: 1941- 
1942 (Washington, DC, 1953), 2 ft.; Maurice 
Matloff, Strategic Planning for Coalition War¬ 
fare: 1943-1944 (Washington, DC, 1959), 3 ft; 
and Harry L. Coles and Albert K. Weinberg, 
Civil Affairs: Soldiers Become Governors 
(Washington, DC, 1964), 6 ft. Except for com¬ 
ments by Eisenhower and other General Staff 
officers, the background materials for these 
volumes are most distinguished by the detailed 
critiques prepared within OCMH. 

RG 407 RECORDS OF THE ADJUTANT 
GENERAL'S OFFICE, 1917- 

1.167 The Adjutant General's Office 
(AGO) and the majority of its records are de¬ 
scribed in chapters II and VI. Because the AGO 
served as the central recordkeeping agency for 
the War Department prior to the 1942 reorgani¬ 
zation, many key documents regarding prewar 
and early wartime planning, strategy, and opera¬ 
tions for the 1939-42 period are located in these 
records. Although less significant and compre¬ 
hensive than comparable records for the Office 
of the Chief of Staff and the War Plans Division, 
the records nevertheless include documents not 
available elsewhere. This is particularly true for 


37 


Record Group 407 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


correspondence of the Secretary of War for the 
1921-42 period, most of which can be found in 
AGO files. With the decentralization of War 
Department recordkeeping after thd 1942 reorga¬ 
nization, the AGO lost its central filing function 
but still generated extensive correspondence 
particularly significant for the information it 
provides on logistics and personnel policy, 1943- 
45. 

1.168 The central decimal correspondence 
file, 1926-39 (1,076 ft.), together with the 
formerly security-classified decimal correspon¬ 
dence file, 1926-39 (45 ft.), are arranged ac¬ 
cording to the War Department decimal scheme 
and thereunder chronologically. Individual files 
are identified by the decimal classification and 
the date of the first document: e.g., 452.1 
(2-14-39); larger files include subordinate folder 
numbers, and oversized items are designated 
"Bulky Package." These series provide a wealth 
of data on the U.S. Army throughout the inter¬ 
war period. Particularly valuable for information 
regarding plans and preparations are files dated 
1939, especially those in the security-classified 
decimal file. Files under decimals 320.2 and 381 
detail mobilization plans and measures, while 
400.3295 yields data on the production of weap¬ 
ons and ammunition and the supply of arma¬ 
ments to Canada. Information on aviation devel¬ 
opments and aircraft production can be found in 
452 and 452.1. 

1.169 A microfilm copy of cross-reference 
sheets to the classified and unclassified general 
correspondence (1917-39), reproduced on the 
1,930 rolls of National Archives Microfilm 
Publication T822, serves as an index to these 
series. Arranged according to the subject catego¬ 
ries of the War Department decimal system and 
thereunder chronologically, the cross-reference 
sheets provide file citations, dates, originators, 
recipients, and titles or synopses of individual 
documents related to the subject indexed. Ap¬ 
pended to the decimal listings are small groups 
of cross-reference sheets for Army schools, 
airfields, forts and camps, general geographic 
areas, civil education institutions, Army corps 


areas, departments, commands, and miscella¬ 
neous organizations. Cross-references to the 
associated files, however, are inaccurate because 
these subject files were subsequently incorporat¬ 
ed within the general correspondence. The 
appropriate decimal classification must first be 
identified (e.g., file "Fort Dix 600.93 [4-5-39]" 
is now located under the decimal classification 
for forts, 683). 

1.170 The formerly confidential and 
secret central decimal correspondence file, 

1940- 54 (1,355 ft.), is divided into chronological 
subseries (1940-42, 1943-45, 1946-47, 1948-50, 
1951-52, and 1953-54) and thereunder arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. Individual files within decimals follow 
the same chronological arrangement and designa¬ 
tion as noted for the 1926-1939 series. 

1.171 The 1940-42 subseries (354 ft.) is 
particularly significant for documenting policy 
and planning at the time of America's entry into 
the war. Files under decimals 320.2, 381, and, 
to a lesser extent, 313.6 all provide data con¬ 
cerning mobilization plans, unit activation and 
strength, and troop requirements. Decimal 
classification 381 also includes files regarding 
the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 1941 
(especially file 381 (12-12-41) (2) Bulky Pack¬ 
age)), combat operations in the Philippines, 

1941- 42, and a military intelligence study of 
Japanese modes of warfare, 1942. Detailed 
intelligence studies of specific countries, islands, 
geographic areas (including "the Japanese Em¬ 
pire") and selected topics (e.g., "Germany's Oil 
Supply") can be found in decimal 350.05. File 
320.2 (12-8-41) pertains to the organization of 
the American Volunteer Group in China (the 
"Flying Tigers"), December 1941. 

1.172 Files in decimal 334 contain minutes 
of meetings of various War Department and joint 
committees and organizations, including weekly 
staff conferences of the Headquarters, Services 
of Supply, April-December 1942. Information 
concerning lend-lease aid to Allied nations is 
located in file 008 (4-15-41) and in 400.3295 and 
400.703. Records relating to the associated 


38 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 407 


leasing of bases in the Western hemisphere can 
be found in 580, 600.12, and 601.1. 

1.173 Extensive documentation of the 
military construction of housing for the expand¬ 
ing Army is located in 601.1; general construc¬ 
tion of military facilities and airfields is docu¬ 
mented in 600.12. These files often provide 
more than simple construction information; 
600.12 (4-14-41), for example, details the 
planning for an additional fighter airfield on 
Oahu prior to Pearl Harbor, including high-level 
discussions of the vulnerability of Oahu to air 
attack. 

1.174 Decimal 676.3 provides information 
on the building of radio stations in the United 
States and on neighboring islands. Documenta¬ 
tion of the buildup of an Aircraft Warning 
System (AWS), and of harbor defenses of Amer¬ 
ican ports, can be found in 660.2. File 400 
(7-9-41) documents early planning of wartime 
production requirements. The correlation of all 
such measures to appropriated funds is docu¬ 
mented in 112.05. 

1.175 A project file appended to the deci¬ 
mal arrangement treats the following subjects: 
Special projects (primarily concerning Army 
reserves), civil education institutions, general 
geographic areas, airfields, military schools, 
military posts and reservations, foreign coun¬ 
tries, and nautical (i.e., U.S. Army troop trans¬ 
port vessels). Within each category, files are 
arranged alphabetically. They are secondary in 
importance to the decimal files, but provide 
useful supplemental information; mobilization 
measures and logistical issues concerning U.S. 
forces in the Philippines, 1941-42, and the 
establishment of bases in former British posses¬ 
sions in the Atlantic and the Caribbean, 1941-42, 
for example, are located within the general 
geographic and foreign countries subject files. 

1.176 The 1943-45 subseries (768 ft.) is 
more pertinent to the AGO's administrative and 
supply functions during that period, but still 
includes information reflecting strategic planning 
and policies. Extensive data regarding logistical 
support in all theaters can be found in the files 


under decimal 400. Reports on the establish¬ 
ment, reorganization, redesignation, and dis¬ 
bandment of specific Army units are located in 
322; 320.2 includes detailed strength returns for 
all commands in all theaters and criteria for 
procuring suitable personnel for specific duties 
(e.g., counterintelligence). Files in 320.3 de¬ 
scribe changes in tables of organization and 
equipment for specific types of units. 

1.177 Minutes of staff conferences of 
Headquarters, Services of Supply (later Army 
Service Forces), January-September 1943, and 
correspondence of the Army Pearl Harbor 
Board, June-November 1944, are located under 
decimal 334. Decimal 300.7 consists of drafts 
and revisions of Army technical and field manu¬ 
als. Intelligence data and military attache reports 
from numerous countries can be found in 
350.05. Significant information regarding the 
treatment and repatriation of enemy and Ameri¬ 
can prisoners of war is found in 383.6. Numer¬ 
ous files in 452.4 treat Japan's use of balloons 
against the western United States, 1944-45. 
Attempts to ascertain the fate or location of 
remains of dead and missing American service¬ 
men are described in 704. Within the nautical 
project file, the losses of Army troop transports 
SS Dorchester (February 1943) and SS Leopold¬ 
ville (December 1944) to submarine attack are 
detailed. 

1.178 Decimal 014.311 consists of the final 
report on the evacuation of Japanese-Americans 
from the west coast, 1941-43, published by the 
Western Defense Command in June 1943. The 
report includes numerous appendices that detail 
the participation of such civilian organizations as 
the Farm Security Administration and the Feder¬ 
al Reserve Bank of San Francisco in the process, 
as well as extensive newspaper accounts. 

1.179 Within the 1946-47 subseries (65 
ft.), some files continue to furnish information 
on wartime events and activities. The investiga¬ 
tion of Axis war crimes provides the subject for 
several files under decimal 000.5, while file 
319.1 (1-1-46 to 2-28-46) constitutes a study of 
Hermann Goering's financial assets. Additional 


39 




Record Group 407 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


information regarding the treatment and repatria¬ 
tion of enemy and American prisoners of war 
can be found in 383.6. File 334 Secretary of 
War's Board on Officer-Enlisted Man Relation¬ 
ships (16 March 1946) extensively documents 
disciplinary, leadership, and morale problems 
and social distinction within the Army during the 
war; included are comments by Gens. Dwight 
D. Eisenhower and Carl Spaatz as well as by 
former soldiers. 

1.180 The formerly top secret central 
decimal correspondence file, 1940-54 (34 ft.), 
is also divided into chronological subseries and 
thereunder arranged by the decimal scheme. The 
1940-45 subseries, although it numbers only 4 
ft. of records, pertains to several significant 
World War II topics. The largest entry, decimal 
320.2, provides troop strength requirements and 
estimates, most of which apply to 1945. The 
investigation of war crimes is treated under 
000.5 and in file 383.6 (2-13-45), while infor¬ 
mation on Japanese biological warfare experi¬ 
ments can be found in 729.2 (11-9-45). File 
312.1 (10-13-43) details security procedures in 
handling ULTRA signal intelligence; 091 Ruma¬ 
nia (7-2-45) describes conditions in Soviet- 
occupied Rumania, July 1945. 

1.181 Both of the preceding classified 
correspondence series are indexed by the securi¬ 
ty-classified microfilm copy of cross-reference 
sheets to part of the secret and top secret 
general correspondence, June 1941-December 
1947, reproduced on 1,485 rolls of 16mm 
microfilm. Most of the index is arranged accord¬ 
ing to the War Department decimal scheme and 
thereunder chronologically. Appended to the 
decimal arrangement are separate subject series 
for special projects (e.g., reserves, Womens' 
Army Corps), corps areas (arranged numerical¬ 
ly), theaters of operations, military departments, 
named commands, camps and forts, cities, areas, 
islands, foreign countries and cities, enlisted 
men, and officers. Except where noted, each 
subject series is arranged alphabetically. The 
index sheets furnish the same information, in the 
same format, as that noted for the 1926-39 


index. Decimal 095 is particularly useful for 
indexing names of individuals (military and 
civilian), organizations, and businesses. 

1.182 A supplemental card index to radio 
and staff directives in classified AGO central 
files, 1941-46, is reproduced on 55 rolls of 
16mm microfilm. The radio message index 
cards, reproduced on rolls 1-42, furnish the 
radio message number, date, and AGO file 
citation for these records, but omit any descrip¬ 
tive content; they are arranged by year from 
1941-46 and thereunder according to type of 
command (e.g., theater commands, corps areas, 
military departments), islands, and countries. 
Indexes to staff memorandums, reproduced on 
rolls 43-55, identify the originating General Staff 
office, memorandum number, date, AGO file 
citation, and a synopsis of contents; they are 
arranged chronologically. 

1.183 Plans for the defense of the United 
States and its possessions, 1920-48 (42 ft.), 
represent an important collection of contingency 
and operational plans. The records are arranged 
in two subseries, with individual items numbered 
as registered documents. The first subseries is 
arranged by registered document number (from 
lx through 477x), with secondary identifications 
provided as to pertinent countries or other 
geographic areas. The second and much larger 
subseries is arranged alphabetically by country 
or geographic area, with a new sequence of 
registered documents that matches the alphabeti¬ 
cal arrangement (e.g., Africa, Reg. Doc. #1). 
This subseries appears to be more comprehen¬ 
sive, with operational plans dated as early as 
1920 and as late as April 1942 (including, for 
example, dispositions of U.S. forces in the 
Northern Ireland Sub-Theater). 

1.184 The strategic plans for the interwar 
period contained in this series complement and 
only partially duplicate the records of the War 
Plans Division, RG 165, previously described. 
For the most part, the WPD records consist of 
drafts and background correspondence related to 
the preparation of strategic plans. This series 
represents the final versions and variations of 


40 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

plans issued by the War Plans Division, filed for 
permanent retention with AGO. Many of the 
documents relate specifically to mobilization and 
defense measures for individual commands and 
departments according to a strategic plan's 
provisions (e.g., Reg. Doc. #245-G in the 
second subseries concerns Chesapeake Bay 
defensive measures under war plan ORANGE, 
1939). Information on specific plans is scattered 
among various geographic entries, e.g., war plan 
ORANGE is treated under Japan, while plan 
RAINBOW is described under the United States. 
A file plan at the beginning of the series serves 
as the only finding aid. 

1.185 Closely related are plans for the 
defense of coastal installations and other 
registered documents, 1934-48 (12 ft.). The 
records continue the sequential arrangement of 
registered documents from the second subseries 
described above, extending from #404 through 
#523. The first part of the series pertains to 
defenses of specific American ports and water¬ 
ways, 1934-45, generally arranged alphabetical¬ 
ly. Included are entries for some areas outside 
the continental United States (e.g., Balboa, 
Panama, Cristobal). The series' second segment, 
unarranged except by registered document 
number, covers a wide range of topics. Although 
many items pertain to postwar planning, others 
include estimates of essential military items, 
December 1937 (Reg. Docs. #512-522); a 
September 1942 Army Air Forces study on the 
requirements for air supremacy (#454); and a 
prewar set of counterespionage instructions for 
field commanders, prepared by the Military 
Intelligence Division (#508). The file plan 
included at the beginning of the previous series 
lists Registered Documents #404-450; there is no 
other finding aid. 

1.186 Additional information regarding the 
disposition of AGO registered documents can be 
found in decimal file 311.5 "Registered Docu¬ 
ments" of the Plans and Operations Division's 
formerly secret general correspondence, 1946- 
48, RG 319. These records are more fully 
described earlier in this chapter. 


Record Group 407 

RELATED RECORDS 

1.187 Some other supplemental records and 
historical materials, both within and outside 
NARA custody, deserve mention in relation to 
the theme of U.S. central planning and strategy 
during the war. 

1.188 Documentation of naval planning and 
strategy can be found among the General Re¬ 
cords of the Department of the Navy, RG 80, 
and Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval 
Operations, RG 38, described in chapter IX. The 
planning and conduct of the air war is treated in 
the Records of the Army Air Forces, RG 18. 
described in chapter X. The Records of Allied 
Operational and Occupation Headquarters, 
World War II, RG 331, and Records of U.S. 
Theaters of War, World War II, RG 332, de¬ 
scribed in chapters XI-XIII, detail Allied region¬ 
al and theater strategy. 

1.189 Among NARA holdings not des¬ 
cribed in this guide but related to military agen¬ 
cies, the General Records of the Department of 
State, RG 59, document the wartime activities of 
the State Department and the coordination of 
foreign policy with military strategy. The most 
pertinent records for the World War II period 
are located among the State Department central 
decimal files, 1910-44, particularly among the 
various subdivisions of decimal classification 
740.0011. Many relevant documents and refer¬ 
ences to specific files can be found in pertinent 
volumes of the series Foreign Relations of the 
United States , published by the U.S. Department 
of State. 

1.190 Also significant are the records of the 
State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee, 1944- 
49, located among the Records of Interdepart¬ 
mental and Intradepartmental Committees (State 
Department), RG 353. The records of this 
particular committee are essential in document¬ 
ing the formulation of policy for the postwar 
occupations of Germany, Austria, and Japan. 

1.191 Significant collections of personal 
papers are located in NARA's presidential 
libraries. The papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt 


41 


Related Records 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


and many of his close associates are in the 
custody of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library at 
Hyde Park, NY; the "President's Secretary's 
File," the "Official File," and the "Map Room 
Papers" are particularly significant for wartime 
strategy and policy. Harry S. Truman's papers 
and those of key members of his administration 
are available at the Harry S. Truman Library, 
Independence, MO. The Dwight D. Eisenhower 
Library at Abilene, KS, includes Eisenhower's 
wartime papers, together with the papers of 
Eisenhower's chief of staff, Gen. Walter Bedell 
Smith (1942-45), and the office diary maintained 
by Eisenhower's personal aide, Capt. Harry C. 
Butcher, USNR (1942-45). 

1.192 The records of the Strategic 
Plans/War Plans Division, Office of the Chief of 
Naval Operations, for the prewar and 1939-45 
periods are in the custody of the Operational 
Archives, Naval Historical Center, Washington 
Navy Yard, Washington, DC. That office also 
maintains custody of personal papers of several 
senior naval officers, including Adm. R. Kelly 
Turner (Director, War Plans Division, 1939-42). 

1.193 Various materials relating to the War 
Department General Staff's Operations Division 
are located at the U.S. Army Military History 


Institute, Carlisle Barracks, PA. These include 
the papers of Gen. Lawrence J. Lincoln, who 
served as an OPD section chief during World 
War II. 

1.194 The Manuscript Division of the 
Library of Congress serves as the repository for 
collections of papers of several key figures 
involved in the formulation of policy and strate¬ 
gy. These include Secretary of the Navy Frank 
Knox; Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson; 
Fleet Admirals Ernest J. King and William L. 
Leahy; and Gens. Henry H. ("Hap") Arnold, 
Carl Spaatz, Ira C. Eaker, and Curtis LeMay. 

1.195 Private institutions also contain 
significant collections of papers. The papers of 
Gen. George C. Marshall, as noted earlier, are 
maintained by the George C. Marshall Research 
Library, Lexington, VA. Gen. Douglas Mac- 
Arthur's papers, together with those of some of 
his staff officers, are held at the MacArthur 
Memorial Library, Norfolk, VA. Secretary of 
War Henry L. Stimson's private papers are 
located in the Yale University Library at New 
Haven, CT. Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 
houses the papers of Secretary of the Navy 
James V. Forrestal. 


42 


II: ADMINISTERING THE DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENT 


INTRODUCTION 

II. 1 This chapter describes records relat¬ 
ing to the administration of the U.S. military and 
naval establishments during World War II. The 
records particularly document personnel policy 
and administration, financial and budgetary 
matters, and legislative issues involving coordi¬ 
nation with Congress and other government 
agencies. Included within these records is infor¬ 
mation regarding the acquisition of lands for 
military installations; budgetary planning in 
military mobilization and procurement; the 
activities of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) 
and the Office of the Director of Women Ap¬ 
pointed for Voluntary Emergency Service 
(WAVES) and considerable data concerning 
individual personnel, including the awarding of 
decorations and determinations of casualties. 

11.2 Records of U.S. Army (including 
Army Air Forces) organizations are described 
first, followed by descriptions of records of U.S. 
Navy organizations. Representative of records 
described are central correspondence files of 
relevant departments and offices, logbooks and 
muster rolls of U.S. naval vessels, and records 
of specific boards and commissions involved in 
personnel and administrative matters. Individual 
personnel files are not treated here, but referenc¬ 
es to their location and accessibility appear in the 
"related records" section at the end of the 
chapter. Information regarding the construction 
of military installations complements records 
described in chapters V and VI. Because of the 
specialized nature of naval issues, many admin¬ 
istrative and contractual records concerning the 
Navy Department are described in chapters IV, 
V, and IX. 

11.3 Although the level of description in 
this chapter extends to the series and subseries, 
the volume and nature of the records preclude 
detailed descriptions. Selected series and subse¬ 
ries are described according to series or subse¬ 


ries title, date span, volume, arrangement pat¬ 
tern, and general contents. Wherever records 
describe significant events or activities other than 
those of an administrative nature (e.g., intelli¬ 
gence, combat operations, soldier morale, or 
recreation), more detailed descriptions are 
provided. 

RG 330 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 

11.4 Under the Office of the Secretary of 
Defense, the Personnel Policy Board inherited a 
number of wartime records relating to personnel 
policies. Most of these were originated by the 
Joint Army-Navy Personnel Board, established 
in May 1942 to consider questions of the armed 
forces' interest in the mobilization of manpower 
for military service and for war production. 
Renamed the Armed Forces Personnel Board in 
November 1948, it was absorbed by the Person¬ 
nel Policy Board in 1949. 

11.5 Joint agreements of the Military 
Personnel Policy Committee, the Armed 
Services Personnel Board, and the Joint 
Army-Navy Personnel Board regarding per¬ 
sonnel matters of common interest to the 
Army, Navy, and Air Force, 1942-49 (3 ft.), 
arranged in part chronologically and in part by 
subject, detail interservice policy issues, June 
1942-September 1945. These include determina¬ 
tions of reserve or specialist status, draft defer¬ 
ments, the payment of allowances, and authori¬ 
zation of specialist training. A collection of 
relevant case files for individual men and women 
concludes the series. 

11.6 The Joint Army-Navy Personnel 
Board's correspondence and minutes of meet¬ 
ings relating to the establishment of joint 
personnel policies by the Army and Navy, 
1942-47 (5 ft.), arranged by subject or by type 
of record, document the agenda and minutes of 
Board meetings, May 1942-September 1945. 


43 


Record Group 330 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Also included is a brief history of the Board’s 
activities and organization. 

11.7 The Board's correspondence, re¬ 
ports, studies, and other papers pertaining to 
the coordination of personnel matters between 
the Army and the Navy, 1942-45 (5 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject, concern such 
issues as civilian specialists, insurance allot¬ 
ments, pay matters, interservice transfers, 
women in military service, and retirement. 
Included are transcripts of interdepartmental 
conferences involving the board, and reports 
regularly issued by the Joint Army-Navy-NACA 
Personnel Board (a subcommittee that reviewed 
cases of draft-eligible civilian employees of the 
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 
engaged in high priority research projects), 
March 1944-May 1945. 

11.8 In addition, records of the Joint 
Board to study decorations and medals, 1945- 
51 (3 ft.), arranged by subject, discuss criteria 
and eligibility in the awarding of specific medals 
and decorations. The minutes of the Board's 
meetings, October 1947-April 1949, include 
details of some individual actions during World 
War U. 

11.9 Additional records relating to the 
Joint Army-Navy Personnel Board are located 
among the records of the G-l Division, RG 165, 
described in this chapter. 

RG 107 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
THE SECRETARY OF WAR 

The Secretary of War 

II. 10 The position of the Secretary of War 
originated in August 1789, when Congress 
established the Department of War, under the 
authority of a Secretary who was responsible to 
the President, to recruit, provision, and regulate 
U.S. military forces. In the course of the 19th 
century the growth of the War Department 
bureaucracy enabled the Office of the Secretary 
of War (OS/W) to concern itself with matters of 
policy and general administration. After 1920 the 


Secretary had responsibility for supervision of all 
activities of the War Department, including 
finances, equipment, training, and operations; 
protection of seacoast harbors and cities; execu¬ 
tion of the National Defense Act of 1920; policy 
control of the U.S. Military Academy; and such 
civil functions as the administration of the 
Panama Canal and civil works projects adminis¬ 
tered by the Corps of Engineers, the supervision 
of land controlled by the War Department, and 
the Army's interests in the Civilian Conservation 
Corps prior to the latter’s disbandment in 1943. 
In consideration of the growing importance of 
military aviation, Congress authorized in 1926 
the establishment of an Assistant Secretary of 
War for Air. 

II. 11 At the time of World War El’s out¬ 
break, the OS/W's two principal functions 
concerned the general policy for the military 
establishment, largely implemented through the 
offices of the War Department, and the supervi¬ 
sion of the procurement of weapons, equipment, 
and supplies for the Army, a responsibility of 
the Assistant Secretary of War (after December 
1940 the Under Secretary of War). Throughout 
the period 1939-40 the OS/W expanded greatly 
in response to the growing threat of war. The 
War Department reorganization of March 1942, 
however, transferred many functions to Army 
commands (particularly the Services of Supply, 
later redesignated the Army Service Forces) for 
wartime control. Thereafter the Secretary deter¬ 
mined general policy for the military establish¬ 
ment; supervised materiel procurement; and 
served on such interdepartmental boards as the 
National Munitions Control Board, the War 
Production Board, and the Contract Settlement 
Advisory Board. In 1947 the War Department 
became the Department of the Army, and all 
aviation matters were transferred to the newly 
created Department of the Air Force. 

II. 12 The Secretary of War was assisted by 
the Under Secretary of War, the Assistant 
Secretary of War, the Assistant Secretary of War 
for Air, the Administrative Assistant, the policy 
staffs and operational units that composed the 


44 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 107 


offices of these officials, and special advisers 
and consultants on radar, biological warfare, and 
other scientific and technical problems affecting 
combat operations. In military matters the 
Secretary relied on the Chief of Staff as an 
adviser and as the executive officer implement¬ 
ing the Secretary’s policies and directives 
throughout the military establishment. The 
wartime Secretaries of War included Harry H. 
Woodring (September 1936-June 1940). Henry 
L. Stimson (July 1940-September 1945), and 
Robert P. Patterson (September 1945-July 1947). 

11.13 With the centralization of War 
Department recordkeeping in the Adjutant 
General's Office (AGO) in 1921, the mainte¬ 
nance of central correspondence files for the 
Secretary of War was suspended. From 1921 to 
1942 most of OS/W’s correspondence was 
interfiled with other War Department records in 
the AGO or in the records maintained by differ¬ 
ent offices of the War Department General Staff. 
Paradoxically, the War Department reorganiza¬ 
tion of March 1942 that reduced the activities of 
OS/W also produced an increase in records 
maintained by that office through the decentral¬ 
ization of recordkeeping. The records described 
below chiefly pertain to the administrative 
functions of the Secretary of War during World 
War n. The locations of additional records of 
OS/W and its component units are provided at 
the end of this record unit description. 

11.14 With the interfiling of correspon¬ 
dence in AGO records, the most significant 
OS/W records for the prewar and early wartime 
periods are abstracts of correspondence ("tally 
cards"), September 1918-December 1942 (225 
ft.). These are arranged in 11 chronological 
subseries, with the 1939, 1940, and 1941—4-2 
subseries (totaling ca. 90 ft.) most relevant for 
World War H. The 5-inch x 8-inch cards in each 
subseries are arranged alphabetically by name or 
title of individual, company, or organization, or 
by subject; the individual entries recorded on 
each card are arranged and numbered chronolog¬ 
ically (by date of receipt of the document). As 
most OS/W correspondence for this period was 


filed with AGO, the tally cards constitute a less 
complete but more easily accessible record of the 
Secretary's correspondence than can be found 
among AGO records. The 1939 tally cards from 
Re to Z, however, are missing. 

n.15 An index to the tally cards is provid¬ 
ed by name and subject indexes to abstracts of 
correspondence, July 1919-December 1942 (12 
ft.), also in the format of 5 inch x 8 inch cards. 
Arranged in 13 indexes and thereunder chrono¬ 
logically, those most pertinent for the 1939-42 
period are War Department bureau and executive 
departments, 1937-41; House committees. 1937- 
40: Senate committees. 1937^10: and members 
of Congress, 1939-40. Each of the one or more 
entries on an index card provides the name or 
subject heading under which a related tally card 
is filed, the entry number of the document 
abstracted on the tally card and the document's 
date. 

H.16 Formerly security-classified corre¬ 
spondence. 1932-42 (4 ft.), arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by subject, was not interfiled with AGO 
records and relates as much to policy and opera¬ 
tions as to administrative matters. In addition to 
general information regarding contracts, espio¬ 
nage, mobilization plans, the Panama Canal, and 
the Philippine Islands, the records include min¬ 
utes of meetings of the Joint Aircraft Committee 
of the Army-Navy-British Purchasing Commis¬ 
sion. January-Nlarch 1941 (filed under ’Army’), 
and reports of the U.S. military observers in 
Greai Britain. August-September 1940 (filed 
under "Strong’s report"). 

H.17 The Secretary' of War’s general 
correspondence. March 1932-December 1942 
(83 ft.), arranged alphabetically by name of 
individual, geographic location, or organization, 
or by subject and thereunder numerically by date 
of receipt, consists chiefly of duplicate copies 
retained by OS/W of correspondence filed either 
with AGO or with the War Department General 
Staff. (Most of the duplicate copies provide the 
pertinent file references for originals filed else¬ 
where.) Included is information on the purchase 
and sale of products used by the military’; the 


45 


Record Group 107 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


acquisition of lands; claims against the War 
Department; construction and repair work on 
engineering projects (dams, canals, bridges, 
military installations); and policies toward labor 
employed by the War Department or by compa¬ 
nies under War Department contract. Name and 
subject card indexes to general correspon¬ 
dence, 1932-42 (106 ft.), arranged by year and 
thereunder alphabetically by name of individual, 
geographic location, or organization, or by 
subject, facilitate access by associating referenc¬ 
es to individuals and subjects with general 
correspondence serial number and date. 

11.18 Completing the OS/W's central 
correspondence files for the war period are the 
Secretary of War's general correspondence, 
January 1943-July 1947 (111 ft.), and the 
cross-reference sheets to the correspondence of 
the Secretary of War, January 1943-July 1947 
(90 ft.), two closely related series. Each is 
divided into chronological periods roughly 
approximating the respective tenures of Secretar¬ 
ies of War Stimson (January 1943-January 1946) 
and Patterson (February 1947-July 1947), and 
thereunder arranged according to the War De¬ 
partment decimal scheme, followed by a number 
of subject files arranged alphabetically by subject 
(e.g., Aviation Fields and Bombing Ranges, 
Foreign Countries and Cities). The cross-refer¬ 
ence sheets index subjects discussed within the 
general correspondence, and are arranged ac¬ 
cording to the decimal classification numbers for 
these subjects; they furnish references to perti¬ 
nent individual documents according to the file 
numbers in which they are located, the dates of 
origin and receipt of the documents, names of 
writers and recipients, security classifications, 
and detailed summaries of the contents. The 
general correspondence files proper often consist 
of cross-reference sheets that duplicate the 
information and format just described. 

11.19 Within the decimal arrangement, file 
004.34 details lend-lease appropriations and the 
return of lend-lease articles at war's end; file 
014.35 pertains to arrangements for soldier 
voting in the 1944 general election; files 327.02- 


327.36 include regulations regarding conscription 
and deferment; claims against the War Depart¬ 
ment are located in files 152-153; and files 160- 
160.1 document legislation and War Department 
policy concerning contract work. Discrimination 
against servicemen and civilian employees 
belonging to minority groups is described in file 
291.2. 

11.20 The subject ("project") files include 
considerable data on land acquisition by the 
Army; military construction projects; materiel 
provided to other Allied powers; and the induc¬ 
tion, training, and promotion of enlisted men and 
officers. Within the subject file "Foreign Coun¬ 
tries and Cities," the subheading "Germany" 
includes correspondence relating to the disposi¬ 
tion of Hitler's last will and testament, protests 
of German prisoners of war in the U.S., and job 
offers to American civilians in the administration 
of occupied Germany; the subheading for "Ja¬ 
pan" includes information on Japanese wartime 
nuclear research and on Japanese-Americans 
interned in war relocation centers. 

11.21 From December 1941 to September 
1945, Goldthwaite Dorr served as a special 
assistant to the Secretary of War in the area of 
manpower utilization, advising the Secretary on 
the balancing of military requirements against 
the needs of industry and agriculture. General 
correspondence of Special Assistant Gold¬ 
thwaite Dorr, 1942-45 (9 ft.), arranged accord¬ 
ing to a decimal classification scheme (different 
from that employed by the War Department), 
documents such topics as specialized training, 
the use of prisoner-of-war labor, the use of 
troops in agriculture and mining, and employ¬ 
ment of ex-servicemen. Other records of Spe¬ 
cial Assistant Goldthwaite Dorr, 1942-45 (8 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, primarily 
relate to Dorr's activities as a member of the 
Joint Army-Navy Personnel Board and the War 
Manpower Commission, including agenda and 
minutes of meetings. 

11.22 Additional correspondence files of 
the OS/W are described in chapter I. Records 
maintained by the expert consultants to the 


46 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 107 


Secretary of War are described in chapter VII. 
Much of the Secretary of War's correspondence 
for the prewar and early wartime periods is 
interfiled with the records of the Adjutant Gen¬ 
eral's Office, RG 407, described in chapters I 
and II, and the records of the War Department 
Chief of Staff, RG 165, described in chapter I. 
The disposition of the personal papers of the 
wartime Secretaries of War is as follows: Harry 
H. Woodring, University of Kansas Library, 
Lawrence; Henry L. Stimson, Yale University 
Library, New Haven, CT; and Robert P. Patter¬ 
son, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. 

The Civilian Personnel Division 

11.23 During World War II the Civilian 
Personnel Division (CPD) formulated policies 
regarding civilian personnel employed by the 
War Department, both in the Washington head¬ 
quarters and in field establishments. The CPD, 
which until 1919 had been designated the Ap¬ 
pointment Division, was headed by a civilian 
Director of Civilian Personnel and Training, 
who reported directly to the Secretary of War's 
Administrative Assistant. Among its activities, 
the CPD developed and disseminated policies, 
standards, and procedures with regard to civilian 
personnel, coordinated the application of these 
policies within the War Department and with 
other agencies and companies under War De¬ 
partment contracts, and represented the War 
Department before Congress on issues concern¬ 
ing civilian employees. After March 1942, many 
specific activities of the CPD were transferred to 
Army Air, Ground, and Service Forces, but the 
general supervision of civilian personnel policies 
and practices remained in its hands. The CPD 
continued to function after the establishment of 
the Office of the Secretary of the Army in 
September 1947, but was later redesignated the 
Office of Civilian Personnel. 

11.24 The records of the CPD total approx¬ 
imately 133 ft., arranged in 22 series. For the 
prewar period, general correspondence, March 
1913-June 1940 (44 ft.), is for the most part 


arranged according to the CPD's own decimal 
classification scheme, an explanation of which 
can be found in file 132. The records primarily 
concern standard personnel policies and practices 
during this period. Most of the general corre¬ 
spondence, 1940-43 (9 ft.), arranged according 
to the War Department decimal scheme, is 
located under file 230 and its subdivisions. The 
records include information on appointment 
procedures (file 230.2), position classification 
(file 230.13), labor regulations (file 230.051), 
and efficiency ratings (file 230.341). Lists of 
civilian employees of the Office of the Secretary 
of War in 1941 and 1942 are located in files 
230.411 and 230.2, respectively; file 334.8 
documents the activities of the Committee on 
Personnel Procedures ("Crowell Committee"), 
established in November 1940 to survey policies 
pertaining to civilian employees of the War 
Department. 

11.25 Among other significant series, 
records of the Policy, Regulations, and Proce¬ 
dures Branch, 1940-47 (7 ft.), arranged in two 
chronological subseries (1940-45 and 1946-47) 
and thereunder alphabetically by subject, detail 
the establishment of policies governing personnel 
actions, leave, retirement, and pay. Records of 
the Employee Relations Branch, 1941-44 (4 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, describe 
policies and programs to maintain employee 
morale and satisfy grievances. The inspection 
reports concerning civilian personnel adminis¬ 
tration at Army installations, 1943-47 (34 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by name of installation, 
include information on the selection, placement, 
training, and supervision of employees; position 
classification; payroll administration; and medi¬ 
cal, food, and recreational facilities. 

11.26 Monthly reports of Civilian Per¬ 
sonnel Division field offices, 1940-47 (7 fit.), 
are arranged in three subseries: Alphabetically 
by city or military installation in which the field 
office was located, generally dated 1943-47; 
numerically by Corps Area in which the office 
was located, generally for the period January 
1941-July 1942; and again alphabetically by city. 


47 



Record Group 107 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


generally dated 1941-42. The reports include 
statistical data on civilians employed, appointed, 
released, and transferred and narrative commen¬ 
taries on monthly statistics and particular prob¬ 
lems or achievements. 

11.27 Other series of CPD records include 
the office files of the division's Placement and 
Training Branches, and regularly issued circu¬ 
lars, memorandums, regulations, and orders 
affecting civilian employees during the war. 
Postwar records of the division and records 
continued under the Secretary of the Army are 
located in the Records of the Office of the 
Secretary of the Army, RG 335. 

Army Specialist Corps 

11.28 The Army Specialist Corps (ASC) 
constituted a uniformed, civilian noncombat 
corps of skilled specialists, established in Febru¬ 
ary 1942 in response to the acute shortage of 
officers early in the war. Under a Director 
General responsible to the Secretary of War, the 
ASC engaged in personnel procurement activities 
and initiated studies of military needs for techni¬ 
cal and professional specialists. The ASC was 
discontinued in October 1942, when the newly 
created Officer Procurement Service of the 
Headquarters, Services of Supply assumed its 
functions. Before the end of 1942, the 1,755 
ASC officers were either commissioned into the 
Army or received honorable discharges. 

11.29 The records of the ASC consist of 
general correspondence, 1942-43 (2 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged according to the War Department decimal 
classification scheme; historical records, 1942 
(3 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject and 
including some biographical sketches of ASC 
officers; and the final report of the Army 
Specialist Corps, December 1942 (1 ft.). The 
last constitutes a history of the ASC, with many 
key documents concerning the ASC's organiza¬ 
tion and activities included as appendixes. 

11.30 Records of the ASC's successor, the 
Officer Procurement Service, are located among 
the Records of Headquarters, Army Service 


Forces, RG 160, and are described in chapter 
III. 

Secretary of War's Coordinator for Soldier 

Voting 

11.31 In October 1943 Col. Robert Cutler 
was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of 
War to act for the War Department in matters 
relating to soldier voting. With the establishment 
of the U.S. War Ballot Commission in April 
1944, Cutler served as the Secretary of War's 
Coordinator for Soldier Voting and as Executive 
Officer of the Commission. The War Ballot 
Commission ceased operations in April 1946. 

11.32 The records of the Coordinator for 
Soldier Voting number approximately 18 ft., 
arranged in five series. General correspon¬ 
dence, 1944 (4 ft.), divided into subseries for 
state and territorial officials and for overseas 
theater commands and thereunder arranged 
alphabetically by name of state, territory, or 
command, concerns the coordination and pro¬ 
cessing of soldier voting. Colonel Cutler's 
formerly confidential report, "Soldier Voting 
in 1944," December 1944 (1 ft.), was Cutler's 
final report to the Secretary of War on the 
administration of soldier voting in 1944, divided 
into 10 topics listed at the beginning of the 
report. Narrative reports on state and federal 
balloting in the November 7, 1944, general 
election, 1944 (2 ft.), arranged in 27 binders, 
consist of reports on the administration of soldier 
voting as experienced by numerous domestic and 
overseas commands and service branches. 

11.33 Statistical data is provided by statis¬ 
tical reports concerning soldier balloting in the 
November 7, 1944, general election, 1944 (less 
than 1 ft.). Other records, 1944 (11 ft.), main¬ 
tained by the Coordinator are arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by subject and pertain to various aspects of 
the preparation for and conduct of soldier ballot¬ 
ing; included is information on the organization 
of the U.S. War Ballot Commission. 

11.34 The Records of the U.S. War Ballot 
Commission, RG 230, amounting to a total of 7 


48 





Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 107 


ft., are described in the Guide to the National 
Archives of the United States (Washington, DC, 
1974), p. 678. 

Bureau of Public Relations 

11.35 The Bureau of Public Relations 
(BPR) was established in February 1941 in the 
Office of the Secretary of War as the central 
War Department agency to determine policies 
and procedures for disseminating military infor¬ 
mation to the public. It inherited this function 
from the Public Relations Branch of the Military 
Intelligence Division, War Department General 
Staff. After August 1942 the BPR also directed, 
coordinated, and reviewed the public relations 
activities of the Army Air, Ground, and Service 
Forces and their respective subordinate com¬ 
mands. 

11.36 The Bureau conducted numerous 
public relations activities. It collected, edited, 
and disseminated news stories and illustrations 
relating to military activities; supervised the 
accreditation of media representatives visiting 
theaters of operations; reviewed writings and 
lectures prepared by military personnel; provided 
technical assistance to writers and radio and film 
producers; and developed an information and 
orientation program for industry and labor 
regarding their roles in the war effort. 

11.37 The BPR also cleared the public 
release of security-classified information (except 
for the period July 1942-February 1943, when 
this function was carried out by G-2 Division, 
War Department General Staff). Between Janu¬ 
ary and July 1942 it conducted an information 
and orientation program for military personnel, 
a program later transferred to Headquarters, 
Services of Supply/Army Service Forces. Motion 
picture film scripts by civilian filmmakers were 
reviewed by the Bureau's Motion Picture Board 
of Review for approval based on security, 
propriety, and detail. 

11.38 During most of World War II the 
Director of BPR was Maj. Gen. Alexander D. 
Surles. The several sections that originally 


constituted BPR were redesignated branches in 
1942, and in 1943 were elevated to divisions: 
The Executive, News, War Intelligence, and 
Industrial Services Divisions. In addition, there 
were three Assistants to the Director, one for 
each of the three major service branches (Air, 
Ground, and Service Forces). In September 1945 
the BPR was transferred to the War Department 
General Staff and reorganized as the Public 
Relations Division. In 1947 it was redesignated 
the Public Information Division. 

11.39 Textual records of the BPR total 
approximately 61 ft. arranged in 15 series. 
General records of the Bureau include tran¬ 
scripts of the Director's telephone conversa¬ 
tions, August 1941-December 1945 (2 ft.), 
generally arranged chronologically, and a small 
collection of directives and memorandums 
relating to public relations policy. The office 
files of the News Division include summaries 
and analyses of newspaper articles (ca. 5 ft.), 
and records reflecting the activities of the Radio 
and Pictorial Branches. Radio Branch records 
consist of radio scripts, 1942-45 (19 ft.), for 
programs sponsored by the branch, arranged 
alphabetically by title of program. The Pictorial 
Branch's correspondence relating to motion 
pictures, 1941-45 (18 ft.), arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by motion picture title, largely consists of 
drafts of motion picture scripts submitted by 
Hollywood producers for approval; movie titles 
used are often preliminary rather than final 
versions (e.g., "Bataan Patrol" instead of 
"Bataan"). 

11.40 Records maintained by the Industrial 
Services Division include correspondence 
concerning industrial incentive programs, 
1943-45 (9 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
subject, location, or program title; photographs, 
cartoons, press releases, and articles for use in 
defense industry publications, 1942-45 (3 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject or title and 
including information regarding visits of war 
heroes to factories, docks, etc.; records of the 
Awards Branch, 1942-45 (4 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by subject or type of record, 


49 



Record Group 107 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


relating to the granting of production awards; 
and a history of the Industrial Services Divi¬ 
sion, 1942-45 (1 ft ). 

11.41 Some wartime records of the BPR 
are included among the records of its successor, 
the Public Information Division, RG 319, de¬ 
scribed in chapter VI; other records were incor¬ 
porated within the records of the Office of 
Public Information, Office of the Secretary of 
Defense, RG 330, also described in chapter VI. 
Nontextual records of the Bureau, including 
photographs, motion pictures, and sound record¬ 
ings, are described in National Archives Refer¬ 
ence Information Paper 70 (Revised), Audiovisu¬ 
al Records in the National Archives of the United 
States Relating to World War II. 

Boards and Committees 

11.42 The Secretary, Under Secretary, and 
Assistant Secretary of War served or were 
represented on a number of wartime boards and 
committees. Those that constituted interdepart¬ 
mental, international, or joint Army-Navy 
organizations are either described elsewhere in 
this volume or will be described in Federal 
Records of World War II: Vol. 1, Civilian 
Agencies (Washington, DC, 1950). Described 
below are several War Department committees 
and boards that functioned during the war in 
advisory, regulatory, or fact-finding capacities 
within the Office of the Secretary of War. 
Important organizational information for many of 
these boards and committees is also located 
under decimal classification 334 in both the 
formerly security-classified and unclassified 
central decimal correspondence files, 1940-1945, 
of the Adjutant General's Office, RG 407, 
described in this chapter and in chapter I. 

11.43 The Secretary of War's Personnel 
Board , which succeeded the War Department 
Personnel Board in November 1942, reviewed 
cases involving the recommended removal of 
officers from active service, appointments for 
commissions in the Army, and certain classes of 
cases recommended for promotion. Its compila¬ 


tion of records, 1941-47 (less than 1 ft.), 
documents policies relevant to this function. The 
records of individual cases brought before the 
Board were transferred to the personnel (201) 
files of the officers involved and are now in the 
custody of the National Personnel Records 
Center, St. Louis. 

11.44 The War Department Central Defer¬ 
ment Board , established in April 1943 as a 
successor to the Central War Department Defer¬ 
ment Board, applied pertinent regulations con¬ 
cerning occupational deferments for government 
employees who had been drafted into the Armed 
Forces. Its records, March 1942-August 1945 
(4 ft.), are arranged in numbered folders gener¬ 
ally grouped into subjects (e.g., "general admin¬ 
istrative files," nos. 21-57; "policy and proce¬ 
dure," nos. 60-72; and "history," nos. 85-90). 
Deferment policy is described under all these 
illustrative subject headings. A "master file" 
(nos. 318-391) includes pertinent regulations. 

11.45 The War Department Army Retiring 
Board , established in July 1944, reviewed cases 
of all officers not of "general" grade who had 
been relieved from active duty for disability not 
incident to military service. The Board consid¬ 
ered approximately 8,000 cases before its disso¬ 
lution in October 1945. Two series of corre¬ 
spondence files, July 1944-November 1945 
(totaling less than 1 ft.), arranged primarily 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme, document the Board's organization and 
policies. 

11.46 The War Department's Advisory 
Committee on Military Justice , which functioned 
during the period March-December 1946, stud¬ 
ied the overall administration of military justice 
and courts-martial within the Army, and recom¬ 
mended changes for improvement. The Com¬ 
mittee's final report and exhibits, March- 
December 1946 (4 ft.), include transcripts of 
hearings held by the Committee, questionnaires 
and correspondence received from military 
personnel and the general public, and some 
statistical data regarding military trials and 
sentences, 1942-46. 


50 











Records of World War II, Part 1 

11.47 The Inter-Allied Personnel Board , 
originally the Canadian-American Military 
Board, was established by the War Department 
in April 1942 to effect the transfer of American 
nationals who had entered Canadian military 
service before Pearl Harbor. The Board later 
extended its activities to American nationals in 
other countries until its dissolution in May 1946. 
Its records consist of applications for transfer 
to U.S. Armed Forces, March 1942-June 1946 
(4 ft.), organized into two subseries, the first 
arranged alphabetically by name of applicant and 
the second chronologically for the period June- 
December 1942. These relate solely to individu¬ 
als in Canadian service. A correspondence file, 
1942-46 (2 ft.), pertaining to individuals in other 
countries, is arranged alphabetically by country. 

11.48 The War Department Dependency 
Board , established in October 1942, was respon¬ 
sible for policies governing release of casualty 
information to family members. Decimal files, 
1942-46 (6 ft.), arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme, particularly docu¬ 
ment the applicability of Congressional legisla¬ 
tion (file 010.3) and determinations of casualty 
status (files 230.85 and 704). In addition, specif¬ 
ic information regarding conditions and deaths of 
American prisoners of war in Japanese custody 
in the Philippines is located in files 319.1 Re¬ 
ports (Commander Lehmann's Service Report), 
383.6 Prisoners of War (IRC Messages), and 
704 Casualties (Military Personnel in Philip¬ 
pines). 

11.49 The War Department Equipment 
Board (also known as the Stilwell Board after its 
head, Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell) was established 
in October 1945 to study and offer recommenda¬ 
tions on the development of materiel and equip¬ 
ment for the postwar Army. The Board collected 
data and testimony before submitting its findings 
in May 1946. War Department Equipment 
Board records, 1945-46 (5 ft.), generally 
arranged by subject, include general correspon¬ 
dence, a detailed review of a previous study by 
the Army Ground Forces Equipment Review 


Record Group 107 

Board (June 1945), and a copy of the Board's 
final report. 

RG 407 RECORDS OF THE ADJUTANT 
GENERAL’S OFFICE, 1917- 

11.50 The Adjutant General's Office 
(AGO), one of the oldest Army organizations, 
provided a variety of administrative and support 
services to the War Department throughout 
World War II. These chiefly concerned military 
personnel administration, standard staff and 
administrative communications, and records 
management. Prior to March 1942, the AGO 
served as the central recordkeeping agency of the 
War Department, and its records included 
substantial documentation of the planning of 
strategy and the formulation of policy. The War 
Department reorganization of March 1942 
decentralized recordkeeping, but the AGO 
retained responsibility for general records man¬ 
agement and continued to maintain central files 
on administrative matters. The AGO also super¬ 
vised the Army personnel statistical and account¬ 
ing systems, publications, postal services, histor¬ 
ical activities, and special and heraldic services. 

11.51 Until March 1942 the AGO was 
directly subordinate to the Army Chief of Staff. 
Thereafter it became responsible to the Chief of 
Administrative Services (March 1942-July 1943); 
the Director of Administration (July-October 
1943); and the Chief of Staff, Army Service 
Forces (October 1943-September 1945). Maj. 
Gen. Emory S. Adams served as the Adjutant 
General of the Army from May 1938 to Febru¬ 
ary 1942; he was succeeded by Maj. Gen. James 
A. Ulio (March 1942-January 1946). For most 
of the war the AGO included the following 
subordinate units: Adjutant General Board; 
Control Division; Military Personnel Division; 
Civilian Personnel Division; Operations and 
Training Division; Army Postal Services; Publi¬ 
cations Division; Records Division (which 
inherited many of the functions performed by the 
Miscellaneous Division, disbanded in April 
1943); and various field agencies. 


51 








Record Group 407 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


11.52 The AGO's unclassified central 
decimal correspondence file, 1940-54 (3,828 
ft.), is divided into five chronological subseries 
(1940-45,1946-48, 1949-50,1951-52, and 1953- 
54) and thereunder arranged according to the 
War Department decimal classification scheme. 
Every decimal classification is arranged chrono¬ 
logically, with individual subject files identified 
by the date of the first document; e.g., AGO 381 
(9-1-42). Each subseries' decimal arrangement is 
also followed by a number of subject ("project") 
files, under such headings as "special projects"; 
"civil education"; "commands and corps areas"; 
"aviation schools"; "flying fields"; "military 
schools"; "military posts and reservations"; 
"U.S. cities, lakes, etc."; "states and countries"; 
"foreign countries"; and "nautical vessels." 
Each of these is thereunder arranged according 
to the War Department decimal scheme. 

II. 53 The 1940-45 subseries (ca. 1,600 ft.) 
serves as a central reference file for all nonsensi¬ 
tive activities of the Army during the war. 
Organizational data can be found under the 
following decimal classifications: 020 (for the 
organization of major Army branches); 320.2 
(for personnel strengths of specific commands 
and units); 320.3 (for authorized tables of orga¬ 
nization); 322 (for the activation, composition, 
and operational histories of specific commands 
and units); 370.5 (for unit transfers and move¬ 
ments); and 400.34 (for tables of authorized 
equipment allowances for units). Personnel data 
for individual servicemen is scattered throughout 
the files, including general information (classifi¬ 
cation 095), awards of decorations and medals 
(200.6), discharges and separations (220.8), 
American prisoners of war (POWs) (383.6), and 
determinations regarding dead and missing 
servicemen (704). 

11.54 Within the last classification, records 
are arranged under separate categories of "Casu¬ 
alty" and "Dead", although both categories relate 
to dead and missing servicemen; each category 
is thereunder arranged chronologically. Within 
the 704 "Casualty" category, file 704 (1 Decem¬ 
ber 1945) consists of a detailed investigation into 


the deaths of 62 American POWs in Tokyo 
Military Prison during an American air raid, 
May 26, 1945; included are the recovered 
identification tags and dental charts for the 
individuals. 

11.55 Decimal classification 334 includes 
organizational data for many War Department 
boards and committees, as well as notes on staff 
conferences within the General Staff and the 
Headquarters, Services of Supply (later Army 
Service Forces), and minutes of the War Depart¬ 
ment General Council, October 1942-April 1943. 
Draft copies, revisions, and correspondence 
regarding Army field and technical manuals and 
other publications are extensively documented in 
decimal classifications 062.11,300.5,300.7, and 
461. 

11.56 The military utilization of African- 
Americans and racial incidents involving them 
are described under decimal classifications 291.2 
and 291.21, which include correspondence with 
the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People and general information regard¬ 
ing segregation policies. Information regarding 
military aviation is concentrated in decimal 
classifications 221 (aviation cadets), 580 (avia¬ 
tion and aeronautical matters), and project files 
"Aviation Schools" and "Flying Fields." The 
project file for "Special Projects" includes 
extensive information on officer and enlisted 
reserves, the National Guard, the Reserve Offi¬ 
cer Training Corps, and the Women's Army 
Corps (WAC). Classification 680.1 includes 
extensive correspondence with state and local 
governments regarding the establishment and 
locations of Army camp sites in the U.S. Among 
the "Foreign Countries" project file, the entry 
for the USSR includes numerous examples of 
American-Soviet wartime cooperation and the 
Soviet Embassy's "Information Bulletins," 
November 1941-July 1943. Documentation of 
the organization and activities of Army com¬ 
mands in the Western Hemisphere can be found 
in the "Commands and Corps Areas" subject 
files. Significant data regarding the defense of 
the Philippines, 1941-42, is located in both the 


52 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 407 


"Commands and Corps Areas" and "Foreign 
Countries" project files. 

11.57 Beyond their varied subject content, 
the records also reveal the AGO's procedures 
and methodology in creating and managing its 
files. Decimal classifications 312 through 312.7 
describe the classification of correspondence; 
decimals 313 through 313.7 detail AGO records 
management procedures. The files within deci¬ 
mal 310 document the modernization of Army 
administrative methods through the use of busi¬ 
ness machines. Copies of many of the standard 
forms used by the Army are located under 
decimal 315. 

11.58 For many files, the documentation is 
more extensive for the 1940-42 period than for 
the years 1943-45 (reflecting the centralization of 
recordkeeping prior to March 1942), and in¬ 
cludes correspondence of the Secretary of War 
and the, Army Chief of Staff not filed elsewhere. 
This is particularly true for the files within 
decimal classifications 112.5 (military appropria¬ 
tions) and 381 (national defense); the latter 
includes numerous suggestions by civilians and 
civic organizations regarding the protection of 
industrial facilities, installations, and strategic 
points during the early part of the war. 

11.59 Microfilm copies of indexes to the 
1940-45 unclassified central decimal corre¬ 
spondence file, reproduced on 1,522 16mm 
microfilm rolls, provide an index to this subse¬ 
ries. The indexes are arranged according to the 
subject categories of the War Department deci¬ 
mal classification scheme and thereunder chrono¬ 
logically, followed by entries for the same 
project files as found in the subseries. The 
microfilmed index sheets identify file citations, 
dates, originators, recipients, and titles or synop¬ 
ses for the individual documents related to the 
subject indexed. 

11.60 The 1946-48 subseries (ca. 800 ft.) 
includes a number of files directly related to 
wartime events and activities. Supplemental 
personnel data for the same categories of infor¬ 
mation are located under the same decimal 
classifications as in the 1940-45 subseries; these 


are most relevant for the awarding of decorations 
and medals and determinations regarding dead 
and missing servicemen. Historical data for 
specific military units can be found under deci¬ 
mal 314.7, which also includes a manuscript 
history on the classification and assignment of 
military personnel during the war (file 314.7, 
6-14-46). Other historical studies (e.g., "Small 
Unit Actions") are located under decimal classi¬ 
fication 461. Decimal 000.5 documents Ameri¬ 
can investigation and prosecution of Axis war 
crimes and criminals, including one file devoted 
to Ilse Koch. 

11.61 Appended to the project files is a 
collection of cross-reference sheets, whose 
arrangement exactly matches the 1946-48 subse¬ 
ries. These serve as an index to the subseries 
and provide the same information, and in the 
same format, as that microfilmed for the 1940- 
45 subseries. 

11.62 Other AGO general records include 
security-classified microfilm copies of radio 
messages sent and received by the War De¬ 
partment Classified Message Center, March 
1942-December 1946, reproduced on 667 rolls 
of 16mm microfilm. Divided into "incoming" 
and "outgoing" communications, they are ar¬ 
ranged chronologically by month and thereunder 
alphabetically by name of geographic region, 
country, island, city, or military installation. The 
messages pertain to logistical questions, although 
some from the March-July 1942 period reflect 
more general subject matter. A separate index (1 
35mm roll) to these messages provides a roll-by¬ 
roll listing of the months and geographic re¬ 
gions, etc., reproduced on each. 

11.63 Closely related are security-classi¬ 
fied microfilm copies of radio messages sent 
and received by subordinate units of the 
Services of Supply, March-July 1942 (20 
16mm rolls), whose arrangement and content 
matches that of the preceding series. It should be 
noted, however, that neither of these series has 
been systematically reviewed for declassification; 
researchers should direct specific inquiries 


53 


Record Group 407 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


regarding information in and access to these 
records to the appropriate custodial unit. 

11.64 Wartime AGO records relating to 
personnel include both individual and general 
data. Most significant is the microfilm copy of 
Army serial numbers file, 1934-46, reproduced 
on 1,586 rolls of 16mm microfilm. This com¬ 
prises an apparently comprehensive listing of 
military personnel, arranged by Army serial 
number (from 00 001 099 to 46 168 859); the 
first 21 rolls provide a separate listing of serial 
numbers for members of the Women's Army 
Corps. The microfilmed records consist of 
enlistment data cards which provide the indi¬ 
vidual's serial number, name, state and county 
of residence, place and date of enlistment, grade, 
branch of service, and other vital statistics. The 
information has been entered on the cards in the 
form of number codes, the keys to which are 
found in Technical Manuals TM 12-305 and 
12-310, AGO unclassified central decimal 
correspondence classification 310. 

11.65 Extensive aggregate personnel data is 
located among statistical tabulations relating to 
casualties, prisoners of war, civilian internees, 
general prisoners, civilian and military 
strength, and other personnel matters, 1940- 
53 (462 ft.). The first part of the series consists 
of strength returns, 1941-52, arranged variously 
by service branch and command designation. 
Most of the series comprises subject files ar¬ 
ranged according to an alpha-numeric scheme. 
These provide tabulations of officers and enlisted 
men possessing special language or professional 
skills and qualifications, and include studies on 
casualties (e.g., CFN-95, Army Nurse Corps 
Personnel Who Died in the Line of Duty; 
CFN-123, Battle Casualties-U.S. Army Person¬ 
nel at Pearl Harbor) and of ethnicity (e.g., 
SDM-207, Colored Officers of AGF by Organi¬ 
zation and Grade; XTM-23, Number of Army 
Personnel of Japanese Ancestry). Lastly the 
series includes rosters of military personnel 
serving in the Philippine Islands, December 
1941-March 1942. 


11.66 Other personnel-related series include 
chronological lists of West Point graduates, 
1924-51 (2 ft.), arranged by graduating class; 
nominations and Senate confirmations relating 
to promotions of brigadier generals and other 
general officers, 1914-51 (6 ft.), arranged 
chronologically; inspection reports of field 
installations, February 1941-December 1947 (2 
ft.), arranged chronologically and pertaining to 
personnel induction, classification, and training 
procedures; and publicity records (1 ft., ar¬ 
ranged alphabetically by subject) and photo¬ 
graphs (2 ft., arranged by subject) relating to 
the War Department Civilian Recruitment 
Program, 1943-46. The photographs depict 
working and living conditions for female em¬ 
ployees of the War Department in Washington, 
DC. 

11.67 Additional personnel data for officers 
is located among commissions of officers in the 
Regular Army, National Guard, and Officers' 
Reserve Corps, 1917-40 (82 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by name. Despite the indicated 
date span, these card files include commission 
dates and dates of rank for officers commis¬ 
sioned as late as 1947, often made retroactively 
effective to the World War II period. Converse¬ 
ly, approved and disapproved applications for 
decorations and awards, 1905-51 (56 ft.), do 
not appear to include entries relating to World 
War II actions. Individual military and civilian 
personnel ("201") files for World War II service 
are in the custody of the National Personnel 
Records Center, St. Louis, MO. 

11.68 AGO records also include directories 
and station lists of the U.S. Army, 1942-53 (36 
ft.), generally arranged by command designation 
and thereunder chronologically. Movement 
orders, organizational changes, and procedural 
matters are the subjects of general, special, and 
letter orders issued by Army installations 
within the Zone of the Interior, 1939-47 (12 
ft.), and of general, special, letter, and move¬ 
ment orders issued by overseas Army installa¬ 
tions, 1942-47 (24 ft.). Each is arranged into 


54 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 407 


chronological periods and thereunder by com¬ 
mand designation. 

11.69 Information regarding the AGO 
Records Division's records management proce¬ 
dures is located in nine series totaling approxi¬ 
mately 37 ft. of records. Most significant for 
their documentation are unclassified decimal 
files, July 1943-January 1958 (7 ft.), particu¬ 
larly the 1942-48 subseries, arranged according 
to the War Department decimal classification 
scheme, and policy correspondence relating to 
records maintenance and disposition, 1943-53 
(18 ft.). The latter is divided between an admin¬ 
istrative subject file, 1943-48, arranged alphabet¬ 
ically by subject or folder title, and a policy file, 
divided into chronological subseries (1943-48, 
1949-50, 1951-52, 1953) and thereunder ar¬ 
ranged alphabetically by subject or folder title. 

11.70 Among other wartime AGO records, 
the operations of the Army postal service are 
detailed in a decimal correspondence file, 1939- 
54 (17 ft.), and policy correspondence relating 
to the V-Mail Service, 1942-46 (2 ft.). The 
former is arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal scheme; the latter is arranged 
alphabetically by subject, followed by a separate 
arrangement by Army Post Office (APO) num¬ 
ber. Instructional courses offered by the Army 
are described in Army extension courses pre¬ 
pared for arms and services, 1931-42 (13 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by course type. Reports, 
correspondence, and press clippings regarding 
United Service Organization (USO) entertain¬ 
ment programs can be found in records of 
Camp Shows, Inc., 1941-57 (3 ft.), arranged 
chronologically; Vols. I-III (of eight) cover 
World War II. 

11.71 Among reference collections main¬ 
tained by AGO, legislative and policy prece¬ 
dent files, 1943-75 (49 ft.), arranged according 
to a numeric-subject scheme, include cumulative 
correspondence and press releases on commonly 
requested topics. Most relate to administrative 
and personnel policies (e.g., No. 9, Death-Noti¬ 
fication Sent to Next of Kin), but include some 
historical topics: No. 253, Casualties, World 


War II; No. 388, Philippines; No. 419, Medal 
of Honor; No. 602, Pearl Harbor; and No. 701, 
Atomic Bomb. A separate biography file, 1943- 
76 (7 ft.), arranged alphabetically by name, is 
particularly useful for biographical data on 
Generals Eisenhower, MacArthur, Marshall, and 
Patton. 

11.72 A recent accession of reference 
materials consists of awards files, 1942-55 (ca. 
160 ft.), arranged by Army unit or command. 
These apparently represent records withdrawn 
from the original AG Section files for many 
commands for postwar processing in the deter¬ 
mination of awards and decorations for individu¬ 
al military personnel; they may have been 
retained as a reference collection following the 
loss of personnel records in a 1973 fire at the 
National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, 
MO. Because other awards and decorations files 
remained with the original AG Section records 
of many field commands, the content and cover¬ 
age of this collection is very uneven. Most 
extensive are records of awards for the following 
commands for the World War II period: China 
Theater, 15 ft.; First Army, 21 ft.; Third Army, 
31 ft.; Fifth Army, 13 ft.; Sixth Army, 12 ft.; 
Eighth Army, 23 ft.; and South Pacific Com¬ 
mand, 5 ft. The remainder average only a small 
quantity of material for individual divisions, base 
commands, and specialized nonorganic units. 

11.73 Additional AGO records are de¬ 
scribed in chapters I and XI-XIII. AGO publica¬ 
tions, including War Department regulations, 
general orders, circulars, technical manuals, and 
field manuals for the World War II period, are 
located among Publications of the U.S. Govern¬ 
ment, RG 287. Documentation of the identifica¬ 
tion, recovery, and interment of the remains of 
deceased military personnel can be found among 
the Records of the Office of the Quartermaster 
General, RG 92, and other record groups de¬ 
scribed in chapter V and in National Archives 
Reference Information Paper 82, American 
Military Casualties and Burials. 


55 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


RG 165 RECORDS OF THE WAR DE¬ 
PARTMENT GENERAL AND 
SPECIAL STAFFS 

Chief of Staff 

11.74 Most of the records of the Office of 
the Chief of Staff (OC/S) have been described in 
chapter I. Records created or maintained by the 
Statistics Branch of the OC/S Secretariat and by 
the Strength Accounting and Reporting Office 
(into which the Statistics Branch was incorporat¬ 
ed in 1944) relate primarily to the administration 
of the Army. The statistical data tabulated by 
these offices is particularly valuable in docu¬ 
menting the Army's transition from peacetime to 
full war footing. 

11.75 Semimonthly statistical tabulations 
on controlled equipment and training of the 
various organizational elements of the Army, 
1940-42 (2 ft.), arranged chronologically by 
report number, consist of 40 statistical reports on 
shortages in military equipment, August 1940- 
April 1942. Weekly statistical reports relating 
to War Department activities, 1917-45 (9 ft.), 
and special statistical reports relating to 
activities of interest to the General Staff, 
1917-45 (6 ft.), both arranged chronologically, 
primarily furnish statistical data for the interwar 
period but include general data on wartime unit 
strengths and the constitution of the officer 
corps. Miscellaneous statistical reports relating 
to strength of officers, enlisted men, reserve 
officers, National Guard, and related matters, 
1917-40 (4 ft.), arranged loosely by subject, 
include extensive data on the numbers and 
characteristics of commissioned, reserve, and 
General Staff officers, the strength of regular 
Army and National Guard units, and some 
financial data, all for the period 1939-42. Statis¬ 
tical reports relating to special subjects of 
interest to the General Staff, 1918-42 (6 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject, also pertain 
primarily to the interwar period, but include age 
analysis of officers, 1940-45; housing reports for 


the Army, 1940-42; and personnel status reports 
for the Army, March 1941-February 1942. 

11.76 Additionally, the OC/S records 
include formerly security-classified cable¬ 
grams, reports, press releases, and correspon¬ 
dence relating to the return of groups of war 
heroes from the Mediterranean and European 
theaters of operations (Project "Eversharp"), 
1945-46 (1 ft.), principally concerning itineraries 
and administrative procedures associated with 
welcoming ceremonies. Formerly security- 
classified papers of General J. Lawton Col¬ 
lins, Chief of Public Information, 1942-46 (1 
ft.), consist largely of speeches by senior Army 
officers regarding demobilization. Included, 
however, is a collection of lecture notes on the 
military use of atomic energy (including infor¬ 
mation on the development and use of atomic 
weapons), September 1946, and a copy of the 
1945 Office of War Information publication 
"Enemy Japan." 

11.77 Additional records of the Strength 
Accounting and Reporting Office, and of its 
successors, the Strength Accounting and Statisti¬ 
cal Office and the Central Statistics Office, are 
located among the Records of the Army Staff, 
RG 319, described in this chapter. 

Personnel Division. G-l 

11.78 During World War II the War De¬ 
partment General Staffs Personnel Division, 
G-l, maintained responsibility for Army person¬ 
nel matters as they related to individuals. Specif¬ 
ically, G-l formulated plans and policies regard¬ 
ing the procurement, classification, assignment, 
promotion, transfer, and separation of personnel; 
it also established rules concerning uniforms; 
decorations; morale and welfare; and the war¬ 
time treatment of enemy aliens, prisoners-of- 
war, and conscientious objectors. From 1939 to 
1942 G-l also administered most personnel 
functions, but the War Department reorganiza¬ 
tion of March 1942 transferred most of these 
administrative duties to Headquarters, Services 
of Supply (later Army Service Forces). G-l's 


56 




Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


role in personnel planning was expanded in July 
1945 to include considerations of general man¬ 
power needs. 

11.79 G-l experienced several internal 
reorganizations during the war, but its most 
important component remained the Personnel 
Group, assisted by several branches. In addition, 
the Headquarters of the Women's Army Auxilia¬ 
ry Corps (WAAC), later redesignated Office of 
the Director of the Women's Army Corps 
(WAC), which served under the Army Service 
Forces from May 1942 to September 1943, were 
thereafter transferred to G-l for the remainder of 
the war. The Personnel Division, G-l, was later 
redesignated the Office of the Director of Per¬ 
sonnel and Administration (G-l). 

11.80 The records of the Personnel Divi¬ 
sion, G-l, are particularly significant for person¬ 
nel policy during the Army's expansion in the 
1939-42 period and for information regarding the 
Women's Army Corps in general. The division's 
formerly security-classified correspondence, 
1921-42 (83 ft.), arranged according to a numer¬ 
ical subject scheme, provides extensive data on 
such issues as the selection and promotion of 
officers (especially files 3615, 15776-777, 
16172, and 16252); manpower requirements and 
strengths (e.g., file 15588); and the military 
service of African-Americans (e.g., file 15640) 
and women (e.g., files 7000, 15839). File 11480 
documents personnel matters relating to U.S. 
forces in the Philippine Islands and the use of 
Filipinos in U.S. service, 1941-42. 

11.81 Access to the correspondence is 
facilitated by a subject card index, divided 
roughly between two subseries, 1921-38 (5 ft.) 
and 1939-42 (14 ft.), and thereunder arranged 
alphabetically by general subject, thereunder 
alphabetically by specific subjects (e.g., "Air 
Corps - Appointments") and thereunder chrono¬ 
logically. Each card contains numerous entries 
for individual documents, including for each the 
file reference, document date, document title or 
abstract, and original security classification 
level. A separate numerical card index, arranged 
numerically by G-l file number, details the 


documents contained in each file; this card index 
also includes indexes of names of General Staff 
officers and of subjects located within the G-l 
numerical files. 

11.82 After July 1, 1942, the G-l divi¬ 
sion's formerly security-classified general 
correspondence, 1942-48 (ca. 250 ft.), was 
divided into two chronological subseries, 1942- 
June 1946 and June 1946-1948, and thereunder 
arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. Individual files within decimal 
numbers are identified according to the date of 
the first document (e.g., 319.1 (22 July 1946)). 
The 1942-June 1946 subseries contains exten¬ 
sive data on such topics as war crimes against 
American prisoners of war (classification 000.5), 
the granting of awards and decorations (200.6), 
the military service of African-Americans and 
Japanese-Americans (291.6), the treatment and 
repatriation of American and Axis POWs 
(383.6), and the establishment of unit insignia 
(461). Classification 334 documents the activities 
of the Secretary of War's Board on Officer- 
Enlisted Men Relationships (1946-48), the Joint 
Army-Navy Personnel Board (1942-45), and the 
Imperial Prisoner of War Committee (1944-45). 
At the end of the subseries are project files 
concerning the Selective Service ("Project-Induc¬ 
tion"), the Women's Army Corps ("Project- 
WAC"), and mobilization measures ("Project- 
Mobilization"); these are generally arranged 
alphabetically by subject or chronologically. 

11.83 The 1946-48 subseries includes 
wartime data on the awarding of decorations to 
individuals and units (classification 200.6) and 
the repatriation of POWs (383.6). File 319.1 (22 
July 1946) consists of a historical study of U.S. 
Army units that participated in the Okinawa 
operation, April-July 1945. Records collected by 
the Secretary of War's Board on Officer-Enlisted 
Men Relationships, continued under classifica¬ 
tion 334, also pertain to wartime experiences. 
Cross-reference sheets to G-l formerly securi¬ 
ty-classified general correspondence, 1942-48 
(57 ft.), arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal scheme, serve as a finding aid to 


57 


Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


the general correspondence; for each item of 
correspondence the cross-reference sheets pro¬ 
vide the dates of origin and receipt, file number, 
subject, action required, cross indexes to other 
files, and routing information. 

11.84 The G-l division's formerly top 
secret general correspondence, 1943-47 (4 ft.), 
a subject file arranged for the most part numeri¬ 
cally by section numbers (with gaps), relates 
primarily to posthostilities planning and POW 
issues. Included is information regarding alleged 
atrocities and war crimes by Axis forces (e.g., 
section nos. 52, 57, 65, 76); the repatriation of 
American POWs (section nos. 42, 58); the 
military service of African-Americans (section 
no. 89); and occupation planning for Germany, 
Japan, and Italy (e.g., section nos. 72, 83, 87, 
92). 

11.85 Three series of G-l records (ca. 35 
ft.) pertain to civilian personnel during the 1944- 
54 period. These largely comprise program 
evaluations of civilian personnel administration, 
both overseas (arranged in three alphabetical 
subseries by country, subject, and type of pro¬ 
gram) and in the United States (arranged by arm 
of service and alphabetically by name of camp or 
station. There is also a small collection of 
circulars, pamphlets, and letters, arranged 
alphabetically by type of record and thereunder 
numerically and chronologically. 

11.86 The Director of the Women's Army 
Corps formerly security-classified general 
correspondence, 1942-46, 1949-50 (63 ft.), is 
arranged in two chronological subseries, 1942-46 
and 1949-50, and thereunder according to the 
War Department decimal scheme. The 1942-46 
subseries is particularly relevant for wartime 
information regarding WAC organization (classi¬ 
fication 314.7); assignment to specific Army 
installations (320.2); training (352-353); and 
individual casualties (704, thereunder alphabeti¬ 
cally by name). Historical and background 
material relating to the legislation and admin¬ 
istration of the Women's Army Auxiliary 
Corps and its successor, the Women's Army 
Corps, 1942-49 (14 ft.), arranged in part alpha¬ 


betically by subject and in part unarranged, is an 
important source of the legislative and adminis¬ 
trative history for these organizations. Additional 
administrative and personnel information is 
provided in the general correspondence of the 
Special Civilian Assistant to the Director, 
1942-43 (5 ft.), arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme. The contents of all 
three series are more fully described in American 
Women and the U.S. Armed Forces: A Guide to 
the Records of Military Agencies in the National 
Archives Relating to American Women (Washing¬ 
ton, DC, 1992). 

11.87 Additional G-l records are located 
among the records of the Adjutant General's 
Office, RG 407, described in both this chapter 
and chapter I, and the records of the Office of 
the Chief of Staff, RG 165, described in chapter 
I. The records of the Joint Army-Navy Personnel 
Board are located among the records of the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense, RG 330, and 
are described in this chapter. 

Budget Division 

11.88 At the time of Pearl Harbor, War 
Department budgetary responsibility rested with 
the Office of the Chief of Finance, who reported 
directly to the Chief of Staff. Assisting this 
office were the Budget and Legislative Planning 
Branch, which drafted appropriations legislation 
for submission to Congress, and the Budget 
Advisory Committee, which reviewed general 
budgetary policies. The War Department reorga¬ 
nization of March 1942 transferred the Office of 
the Chief of Finance and the Budget Advisory 
Committee to the Fiscal Division, Headquarters, 
Services of Supply (later Army Service Forces), 
and discontinued the Budget and Legislative 
Planning Branch (the legislative functions of 
which were absorbed by the newly established 
Legislative and Liaison Division). 

11.89 In July 1943 the budgetary functions 
were withdrawn from Army Service Forces and, 
together with the Budget Advisory Committee, 
transferred to the newly established Budget 


58 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


Division, War Department Special Staff. For the 
remainder of the war the Budget Division for¬ 
mulated and supervised all budgetary and fiscal 
plans for the War Department and the Army. 
Specifically, the division received and consoli¬ 
dated estimates of necessary funds, defended 
appropriations requests before Congress and the 
Bureau of the Budget, and allocated appropriated 
funds throughout the War Department. 

11.90 The records of the Budget Division 
cover budgetary matters from 1942 through 
1947. Formerly security-classified general 
correspondence, 1942-47 (58 ft.), arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme and thereunder chronologically, details 
Army budgetary estimates (classification 111), 
appropriations and apportionments (112 through 
112.5), and correspondence with individual 
Congressmen and Congressional committees on 
budgetary issues (032.2). In addition, the corre¬ 
spondence provides useful data regarding lend- 
lease aid to Allied powers (decimals 018 and 
018.2) and financial planning in occupied Ger¬ 
many and Japan (123.7). 

11.91 The other principal series of division 
records consists of formerly security-classified 
reports, correspondence, and other papers 
relating to military and nonmilitary budget 
estimates, justifications, budgetary revisions, 
and adjustments, fiscal years 1942-49 (121 ft.), 
arranged by fiscal year and thereunder alphabeti¬ 
cally by subject. The subjects within each fiscal 
year include specific areas (e.g., "District of 
Columbia," "Panama"); recurring categories of 
expenses (e.g., "Construction," "Salaries"); and 
some individual organizations (particularly the 
"Budget Advisory Committee," including that 
body's reports, proceedings, and recommenda¬ 
tions). The largest entries are "Estimates" (or 
"War Department Estimates"), "Supplemental 
Estimates," and "Justifications of Estimates." 
The arrangement and content of these files 
suggests a continuity with those of the Office of 
the Chief of Finance for the 1940-41 period. 

11.92 Of remaining division records, 
formerly security-classified correspondence 


and reports relating to budget legislation 
under the civil and military appropriation 
acts, 1942-45 (2 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
subject, include considerable data concerning 
funds for official entertainment and public 
relations in file "Contingencies." Formerly 
security-classified correspondence and reports 
relating to the House Subcommittee on War 
Department Appropriations, 1945-46 (4 ft.), 
arranged according to a numeric-subject classifi¬ 
cation scheme, document fiscal matters for 
specific overseas Army commands, including the 
U.S. Military Mission, Moscow. Correspon¬ 
dence and reports relating to apportionment 
of War Department funds, 1940-44 (5 ft.), 
arranged into two War Department decimal 
classifications (111 and 112.5) and thereunder 
alphabetically by subject, include 1940 projec¬ 
tions of anticipated expenditures for 1942-43. 
Appropriation warrants and requests and 
revisions of apportionments relating to trans¬ 
fer and distribution of funds under approved 
appropriations, 1942-49 (2 ft.), arranged by 
type of record and thereunder chronologically, 
are formal statements of expenses as processed 
by the Treasury Department. Accounting re¬ 
ports, summaries, and correspondence relat¬ 
ing to shipment of foreign and Defense Aid 
supply items, fiscal years 1941-49 (5 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by subject and thereunder 
by fiscal year, primarily concern postwar foreign 
aid but include some data regarding wartime 
lend-lease aid to Allied powers (e.g., files 
"Defense Aid Special Fund Allocations," "Ex¬ 
penditures of Defense Aid Funds"). 

11.93 Additional records of the Budget 
Division are located among Records of the Army 
Staff, RG 319, described in this chapter. The 
closely related records of the Office of the Chief 
of Finance, RG 203, are also described in this 
chapter. 

Legislative and Liaison Division 

11.94 The Legislative and Liaison Division, 
War Department Special Staff, was established 


59 



Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


in March 1942 to assume the legislative func¬ 
tions formerly exercised by the Budget and 
Legislative Planning Branch. The division super¬ 
vised the preparation and review of all legisla¬ 
tion (other than fiscal) affecting the Army, and 
coordinated the forwarding of War Department 
reports and correspondence to congressional 
representatives and committees. The division 
also provided assistance in congressional investi¬ 
gations of War Department activities. 

11.95 Two series of records primarily 
document the division's legislative activities: (1) 
Correspondence, reports, and other papers 
relating to proposed legislation affecting the 
War Department, January 1943-August 1946 
(57 ft.), concerning House of Representatives 
legislation, and (2) correspondence and other 
papers relating to pending and passed legisla¬ 
tion affecting the War Department, January 
1943-August 1946 (23 ft.), regarding Senate 
legislation. Each series is arranged numerically 
by Congress in two subseries, the 78th Congress 
(January 1943-December 1944) and the 79th 
Congress (January 1945-August 1946), and 
thereunder numerically by House or Senate bill 
number and resolution number. In the absence of 
a subject index, a knowledge of the contents of 
specific legislative bills is necessary to use these 
series (for example, the Senate investigation of 
the defeat suffered by U.S. forces at the Rapido 
River, Italy, in January 1944 is located under the 
79th Congress, Senate Resolution 218). 

11.96 The division's formerly security- 
classified correspondence relating to Senate 
special committee investigations of War De¬ 
partment activities, 1942-48 (17 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by name of individual, company, 
or subject, principally concerns allegations 
against private contractors. Included is data on 
Howard Hughes' aircraft (file "Howard Hughes 
Aircraft Corporation") and extensive information 
on defective fuses supplied for the 4.2-inch 
chemical mortar shell (file "Mead Committee"). 

11.97 The remainder of the division's 
records largely pertain to the postwar period, but 
include information on wartime events and 


activities. General correspondence, 1944-48 (11 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, contains 
relevant data in files "Costs of War" and "Ter¬ 
mination of Emergency Statutes." Formerly 
security-classified correspondence and reports 
relating to Senate special committee investiga¬ 
tions of the National Defense Program, 1946- 
47 (3 ft.), arranged alphabetically by name of 
individual, company, geographic area, or sub¬ 
ject, generally relates to allegations against 
private companies under War Department 
contract; file "Mortar Shells," for example, 
concerns the manufacture of defective fuses for 
4.2-inch chemical mortar shells. 

11.98 Transcripts of testimony taken at 
hearings by the Overseas Subcommittee of the 
Senate Special Committee investigating the 
National Defense Program, 1946 (3 ft.), also 
arranged alphabetically by name of individual, 
company, geographic area, or subject, include 
extensive testimony regarding Howard Hughes 
and his corporation's aircraft contracts with the 
War Department. Formerly security-classified 
correspondence, reports, memoranda, and 
other papers relating to Universal Military 
Training, 1944-48 (4 ft.), arranged according to 
the War Department decimal scheme, relates 
entirely to postwar planning for continued 
conscription. 

11.99 Additional postwar records of the 
Legislative and Liaison Division are located 
among the Records of the Army Staff, RG 319, 
described in this chapter. Related legislative 
records are located among the Records of the 
U.S. Senate, RG 46, and the Records of the 
U.S. House of Representatives, RG 233. 


RG 319 RECORDS OF THE ARMY 
STAFF 

Budgetary and Fiscal Offices 

II. 100 Postwar documentation of the bud¬ 
getary and legislative functions in the Depart- 


60 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 319 


ment of the Army includes a number of records 
related to World War II. Some of these consti¬ 
tute wartime records, others represent specific 
studies of wartime events and activities. 

II. 101 After 1947, Army budgetary and 
other fiscal activities were unified in the newly 
established Office of the Comptroller of the 
Army. In addition to the former Budget Divi¬ 
sion, the Comptroller's office incorporated the 
Strength Accounting and Reporting Office 
(SARO), redesignated the Strength Accounting 
and Statistical Office (SASO) in January 1946 
and again redesignated the Central Statistics 
Office in June 1946, formerly under the direct 
authority of the Chief of Staff. 

II. 102 Within the Office of the Comptroller, 
the Chief of Foreign Financial Affairs' general 
correspondence, 1942-54 (47 ft.), includes two 
relevant subseries, a 1942-51 geographic file and 
a 1942-51 subject file, each arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally. Fiscal planning, currency issues, and 
occupation costs are detailed in the entries for 
Austria, Germany, Italy, and Japan in the geo¬ 
graphic file and in the entries for "Occupation," 
"Currency Exchange Control," and "Exchange 
of Foreign Currency" in the subject file. The 
latter also documents financial claims of Italian 
and German prisoners of war and reciprocal 
wartime aid furnished by Great Britain to U.S. 
forces (entries "Reciprocal Aid" and "Reverse 
Lend-Lease"). The Program Review and Analy¬ 
sis Division's correspondence relating to the 
establishment of policies concerning troop 
strength, 1943-50 (9 ft.), arranged alphabetical¬ 
ly by subject, furnishes extensive data on battle 
casualties suffered during the war (including data 
for some specific campaigns), on the organiza¬ 
tion and activities of SARO and SASO, and on 
Army troop strength, 1944-45. It should be 
noted, however, that neither of the above series 
has been systematically reviewed for declassifi¬ 
cation; researchers should direct specific inqui¬ 
ries regarding information and access to these 
records to the appropriate custodial unit. 

11.103 The Program Review and Analysis 
Division's statistical reports, 1942-53 (38 ft.), 


arranged chronologically by year and thereunder 
by subject, are published reports with extensive 
data on Army troop strengths for the war years. 
The categories of reports recurring each year 
include "Overseas Troop Basis," "Activation of 
Units," "Troop Lists," and "Troop Deploy¬ 
ment. " 

11.104 The Legislative and Liaison Division 
continued its functions under the newly estab¬ 
lished Department of the Army in 1947. The 
Congressional Investigation Division's corre¬ 
spondence relating to a uniform code of 
military justice, 1946-50 (4 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by subject or folder title, contains 
wartime statistics on the administration of mili¬ 
tary justice in files "Courts-Martial Statistics"; 
"Death Sentences - All Wars"; and "Tables, 
Charts, etc." The same division's correspon¬ 
dence relating to war crimes trials, 1948-51 (2 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by name of individ¬ 
ual or subject, provides considerable information 
on the trial of Ilse Koch and of the defendants of 
the Malmedy Massacre trial; general information 
on the Nuernberg war crimes trials is located in 
files "Nuremberg" and "Sentences." 


RG 153 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
THE JUDGE ADVOCATE 
GENERAL (ARMY) 


11.105 From its establishment in July 1862, 
the Judge Advocate General (or JAG) of the 
Army was responsible for the administration of 
justice within the Army. In 1884 this post was 
combined with field judge advocates to form the 
Judge Advocate General's Department. Original¬ 
ly responsible to the Chief of Staff, the depart¬ 
ment was placed under the command of the 
Commanding General, Services of Supply (later 
redesignated Army Service Forces) in March 
1942. Throughout the World War II period, the 
Office of the Judge Advocate General furnished 
advice on legal phases of business, property, and 
financial operations, and on legal questions 


61 


Record Group 153 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


concerning the administration, control, disci¬ 
pline, and civil relations of army personnel. On 
certain matters, including courts-martial, the 
Judge Advocate General remained directly 
responsible to the Secretary of War. In May 
1946, the Judge Advocate General's Department 
became a separate administrative service under 
the General Staff. 

11.106 Over the course of the war numerous 
subordinate organizations were established to 
carry out specific functions. The most significant 
were: The Military Personnel and Training 
Division (originally the Military Personnel 
Division), responsible for the procurement and 
training of specialized legal personnel; the 
Military Affairs Division, responsible for studies 
and legal opinions on the status, discharge, 
discipline, and administration of military and 
civilian personnel; the Military Justice Division, 
which supervised military justice within the 
Army; the Military Reservation Division, con¬ 
cerned with legal aspects of the acquisition and 
administration of real property under War 
Department control; the Contracts Division, 
responsible for legal aspects of contracts and 
industrial/labor relations involving the War 
Department and its contractors; the Patents 
Division, which handled legal matters relating to 
the acquisition and use of patents, trademarks, 
and copyrights by the War Department; and the 
Claims Division, responsible for handling claims 
against the War Department within the continen¬ 
tal United States. In October 1944, a separate 
War Crimes Branch was established within JAG 
to investigate alleged war crimes committed by 
Axis forces. Maj. Gen. Myron C. Cramer 
served as Judge Advocate General from Decem¬ 
ber 1941 through November 1945. 

11.107 Except for the records of the War 
Crimes Branch and some selected items, most 
World War II era JAG records remain in that 
department's legal custody. This is particularly 
applicable for records of courts-martial and 
courts of inquiry during the war. The Office's 
general correspondence, 1912-42, relating to 
the Judge Advocate General's opinions and 


decisions, and to administrative and operational 
matters during the interwar period, has been 
accessioned by NARA; that for the 1942-45 
period also remains in JAG custody. 

11.108 Accessioned wartime documentation 
consists of 8 ft. of selected court martial case 
files, 1943-78, arranged by court martial case. 
These include the court martial records of Pvt. 
Eddie Slovik, tried, convicted, and executed for 
desertion in the European theater of operations, 
1944-45, and records relating to the trial of 
German saboteurs captured in the United States, 
July 1942 (in which the Judge Advocate General 
and the Attorney General served as trial judge 
advocates before the President's military com¬ 
mission). 

11.109 Accessioned records of the Military 
Reservation Division include a reservation file, 
1692-1950 (221 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
name of state and thereunder alphabetically by 
name of reservation. The series pertains to 
former military installations (e.g., air bases, 
camps, posts, gunnery ranges, depots, ordnance 
works, and POW camps) no longer in Army 
possession. For each reservation, documentation 
typically includes deeds, leases, maps, plans, 
licenses, court opinions, and related legal mate¬ 
rials. 

II. 110 Wartime records of JAG's Contracts 
Division, Industrial Law Branch, are described 
in chapter IV; the extensive records of the War 
Crimes Branch are described elsewhere in this 
guide. For information regarding remaining 
wartime records, researchers should contact the 
Office of the Judge Advocate General, Depart¬ 
ment of the Army. 

Related Records 

11.111 Additional documentation of JAG 
activities are scattered among the records of 
Headquarters, Army Service Forces, RG 160, 
described in chapters IV and VI, and among the 
records of the JAG staff sections attached to 
headquarters of field commands, described in 
chapters XI-XIII. Some documentation is also 


62 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 153 


described among the records of the General 
Staff's Legislative and Liaison Division, RG 
165, in this chapter. Records relating to legal 
affairs and the administration of justice within 
the Navy Department are located among the 
Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate 
General (Navy), RG 125, also described in this 
chapter. 

RG 159 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
INSPECTOR GENERAL (ARMY) 

11.112 Since its establishment in 1777, the 
mission of the Inspector General of the Army 
(also known as the IG or TIG) has been to 
inquire into and report upon matters pertaining 
to the Army's efficiency and economy, and to 
make such inspections, investigations, surveys, 
studies, and reports as are prescribed by law or 
requested by higher military authority. During 
World War II the Office of the Inspector General 
operated as a War Department special staff 
division, responsible directly to the Chief of 
Staff. Throughout the U.S. military establish¬ 
ment, inspectors or inspection sections were 
attached to the staffs of virtually all commands, 
and were collectively regarded as the Inspector 
General's Department. 

11.113 The IG investigated the fairness of 
fees and payments involved in War Department 
procurement and construction contracts, re¬ 
viewed activities and records of military units 
and installations to prevent wasteful use of 
funds, equipment, or personnel, and heard the 
grievances of military personnel. Regular inspec¬ 
tions were usually conducted annually throughout 
the military establishment; special inspections 
addressed specific activities or organizations 
whose affairs warranted special attention; inves¬ 
tigations followed when inspections revealed 
irregularities or deviations from the norm. 

11.114 Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Peterson served 
as Inspector General from December 1939 to 
June 1945; he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Dan I. 
Sultan, who held the post from July 1945 
through January 1947. The IG Department 


expanded from 60 officers in 1939 to nearly 
1,500 in 1945. During the war its organization 
included subordinate divisions for preparations 
for overseas movement inspections, overseas 
inspections, and procurement and construction 
inspections. 

11.115 Wartime records of the IG are orga¬ 
nized into central correspondence files, accord¬ 
ing to level of security classification. The files 
are interrelated, so that specific investigations 
are documented in more than one series. Al¬ 
though much of the material is routine in nature, 
it provides extensive documentation of racial 
relations throughout the war, the relationship of 
the War Department to private business, and 
specific incidents that gained public notoriety. 
Because of their investigative nature, many 
records contain privileged information subject to 
privacy restrictions. 

11.116 General correspondence, 1939-47 

(468 ft.), arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal scheme, documents the routine 
conduct of IG activities. Bulky files are located 
at the end of the series; these include rosters of 
IG personnel, 1936-47, in classification 461. The 
largest collection of regular and special inspec¬ 
tions of Army and Army Air Forces organiza¬ 
tions is located in classification 333.1, thereun¬ 
der arranged alphabetically by category of 
establishment (e.g., air installations, arsenals and 
depots, cemeteries) or by type of report (quarter¬ 
ly reports); individual entries are thereunder 
arranged either alphabetically by name of instal¬ 
lation or numerically by unit number. Two 
categories pertain to numbered divisions, regi¬ 
ments, and nonorganic units; a "miscellaneous" 
category largely comprises Army air fields and 
directly complements entries in the category "air 
installations." There are separate categories for 
Army Air Forces numbered units, for camps, 
posts, and stations in the continental U.S.; for 
named overseas commands (e.g., Caribbean 
Defense Command, Panama Canal Zone); and 
for schools. 

11.117 Two classifications furnish extensive 
data regarding National Guard units, especially 


63 


Record Group 159 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


for the pre-Pearl Harbor period. Routine and 
special inspections of these formations are 
located in classification 333.4, thereunder ar¬ 
ranged numerically by corps area (the nine 
geographic regions into which the continental 
U.S. was divided), and thereunder by state. 
Classification 333.9, which documents investiga¬ 
tions into alleged misuse of equipment and 
property throughout the Army (including con¬ 
tracts with private businesses), includes investi¬ 
gative material for most state National Guards. 
The investigations cover alleged misuse of funds 
and improper use of gasoline, vehicles, and 
other property, and include verbatim transcripts 
of testimony, depositions, and exhibits intro¬ 
duced in evidence. The amount of material 
varies from 1-2 ft. per state to more than 30 ft. 
for New York. 

11.118 The series also provides considerable 
documentation of routine requests and grievances 
of individual military personnel. Included are 
complaints concerning performance ratings 
(classification 201.6, thereunder alphabetically 
by name of correspondent); requests for reas¬ 
signment of duties or transfers (210.3 and 
220.3); requests for discharge from service 
(220.8); and claims for compensation and dis¬ 
charge pay (241.3). 

11.119 Formerly confidential correspon¬ 
dence, 1939-47 (546 ft.), is also arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. Classification 333.9 (inspections and 
investigations) constitutes the majority of the 
series, thereunder arranged by category (e.g., 
"Personnel," "Camps, Posts, and Stations," 
"Forts," "Miscellaneous," "Numbered Units"), 
thereunder arranged alphabetically by name of 
individual or organization, or numerically by 
unit designation; the "Miscellaneous" category is 
arranged alphabetically by subject (e.g., "con¬ 
tracts," "discrimination") or by organization 
name ("Army Effects Bureau," "Foreign Liqui¬ 
dation Commission, China"). 

11.120 IG records regarding War Depart¬ 
ment relations with private companies are scat¬ 
tered throughout the series. Routine inspections 


of plants and investigations into alleged over¬ 
charging, fraud, and other misuse of allotted 
funds, are especially prevalent in the following 
decimal classifications: 161, thereunder alpha¬ 
betically by company name; 333.1, thereunder in 
part by subject or type of plant (e.g., "plant 
protection," "contract-owned plants," "Govern¬ 
ment-owned, contractor-operated plants"), and in 
part alphabetically by company name; 333.9 
"Companies," thereunder alphabetically by 
company name; and 333.9 "Miscellaneous," 
subject "contracts." Additional information is 
located among records of individual military 
personnel and facilities directly involved in 
contract negotiations with private companies; for 
example, file 333.9 "Personnel"-"Wyman, 
Theodore," documents alleged favoritism in 
construction projects awarded by the Corps of 
Engineers in Hawaii prior to Pearl Harbor. 
Classification 580 includes an investigation into 
the cost of Pan American Airways' participation 
in the de-Germanization (sic) and takeover of 
Avianca Airlines in Latin America, November 
1941. 

11.121 Similarly, racial disturbances within 
the American military, and to a lesser extent 
between the military and civilians, are docu¬ 
mented throughout the series. Particularly valu¬ 
able are the following classifications: 291.2 
(which includes an investigation into racial slurs 
by American officers against members of the 
442d Regimental Combat Team (Nisei), Ft. 
Riley, KS); 333.9 "Cities and Countries" (file 
Alexandria, VA, January 1942); 333.9 "Forts," 
especially Ft. Bragg, NC, August 1941, and Ft. 
Jackson, SC, January 1941; 333.9 "Miscella¬ 
neous" (subject file "discrimination"); and 333.9 
"Numbered Units" (file 92nd Infantry Division). 

11.122 The general correspondence also 
furnishes some information concerning military 
operations and their aftermath. Incidents of 
shootings of German prisoners of war in the 
U.S., for example, are documented in classifica¬ 
tion 333.9 "Camps, Posts, and Stations" (file 
POW Camp, Camp Trinidad, CO), and 333.9 
"Miscellaneous"-"POW Guards." Accounts of 


64 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 159 


the loss of the troopship Sicilien to enemy 
action, June 1942 are located in classification 
333.9 "U.S. Army Transports." An excellent 
description of Army installations on Oahu in 
February 1940 can be found in file 333.1 Harbor 
Defenses-Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

11.123 Much more selective is formerly 
secret correspondence, 1939-47 (33 ft.), also 
arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. The most significant documen¬ 
tation is found in the "overseas readiness re¬ 
ports," June 1943-December 1945, prepared for 
specific units about to embark on overseas duty. 
These summary inspection reports are located in 
classification 333.1. Classification 312.1 includes 
a survey of African-American units in the Army 
as of January 1944. 

11.124 Classification 333.9 again constitutes 
an important collection of investigations into 
specific wartime incidents. File 333.9 "301st 
Infantry" documents that unit's surrender to 
German forces in January 1945. File 333.9 
"Soviet Citizens" documents the forced repatria¬ 
tion of Soviet nationals by U.S. units to Soviet 
authorities in Germany, August 1945; file 333.9 
"Soviet Internees" concerns the alleged mistreat¬ 
ment of Soviet nationals, who had been captured 
while serving with German armed forces, at an 
internee camp in Idaho, January 1945. 

11.125 The index to decimal correspon¬ 
dence, 1917-54 (82 ft.), serves as a detailed 
finding aid to all three correspondence series. 
This card index is arranged in three subseries: 
(1) By organization (including private compa¬ 
nies), (2) by subject, and (3) by individual; each 
is thereunder arranged alphabetically by name. 
Each card includes the security-classification 
status, file number, date, and a synopsis of 
contents for the item indexed. 

Related Records 

11.126 Use of the IG records should always 
be supplemented with reference to the Adjutant 
General's Office formerly confidential and 
secret central decimal correspondence file, 


1940-54, RG 407, described in chapter I. Classi¬ 
fication 333.5 in the 1943-45 subseries particu¬ 
larly documents IG activities in Army field 
commands, often relating to military operations 
(e.g., the surrender of a company to an enemy 
civilian). Some of these records duplicate or 
supplement those located in RG 159; others are 
found only in the AGO correspondence file. 

11.127 Additional documentation of IG field 
activities is located among the records of head¬ 
quarters of Army field commands, described in 
chapters XI-XIII, and of Army Air Forces units, 
described in chapter X. 

RG 203 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
THE CHIEF OF FINANCE 
(ARMY) 

11.128 The War Department's Finance 
Department, headed by the Chief of Finance, 
was formally established in July 1920, but 
continued the work performed by earlier finan¬ 
cial services. During World War II it provided 
budgetary, accounting, auditing, and other 
financial services throughout the Army. Directly 
subordinate to the Chief of Staff of the Army 
prior to the war, the Finance Department in 
March 1942 was placed under the Chief of 
Administrative Services, Headquarters, Services 
of Supply (later Army Service Forces). At the 
same time the budgetary functions of the Chief 
of Finance were transferred to the newly estab¬ 
lished Fiscal Division of Headquarters, Services 
of Supply. 

11.129 In May 1943 the Fiscal Division and 
the Office of the Chief of Finance were merged 
to form the Office of the Fiscal Director, Army 
Service Forces; two months later the Office's 
budgetary functions were shifted to the new 
Budget Division, War Department Special Staff. 
Under this reorganization the Chief of Finance 
served under the Fiscal Director, and the Fi¬ 
nance Department retained all but its budgetary 
functions. The Department also provided ac¬ 
counting and auditing services for the Selective 


65 




Record Group 203 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Service System and the American National Red 
Cross. 

11.130 From 1943 through war's end the 
Finance Department principally comprised the 
Office of the Fiscal Director in Washington, 
field agencies of the Office in the continental 
United States, and Finance agencies (collectively 
called "Disbursing Offices") in the tactical and 
service commands in the U.S. and overseas. 

11.131 The extant records of the Office of 
the Chief of Finance are limited to the period 
preceding the War Department reorganization of 
March 1942, and primarily relate to budgetary 
planning. The most significant of these are 
estimates and justifications, with related 
correspondence and proceedings, 1921-41 (42 
ft.), arranged chronologically by year and there¬ 
under alphabetically by subject or type of record. 
Over 70 percent of these records relate to 
budgetary matters for 1940-41. The largest 
subject entries in the series ("Military Esti¬ 
mates," "War Department Estimates," and "War 
Department Supplemental Estimates") offer 
comprehensive assessments, but other subject 
entries detail estimates for specific branches 
(e.g., "Air Corps," "Seacoast Defense") or 
specific categories of expenses (e.g., "Printing 
and Binding," "Salaries"). Additional correspon¬ 
dence and reports on budgetary planning for this 
period are scattered among six additional series, 
totaling approximately 9 feet of records. One 
series, formerly classified statistical analysis 
reports, 1941 (less than 1 ft.), arranged numeri¬ 
cally, provides tabulated data regarding aircraft 
procurement and artillery and ammunition 
requirements. 

11.132 Significant background data on 
military budgets during the interwar period can 
be found among the records of the War De¬ 
partment budget officer relating to estimates 
and appropriations, 1920-30 (60 ft ), arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme (nearly all under decimals 111, "esti¬ 
mates for appropriations," and 112, "appropria¬ 
tions proper") and thereunder chronologically by 
budget year. For each budget year, estimates and 


appropriations are organized by service branch 
(e.g., infantry, artillery, engineers, chemical 
warfare service). 

11.133 Records of Finance Disbursing 
Offices are included among the Records of U.S. 
Army Commands, 1942-, RG 338, described in 
chapters XI-XIII. Related records of the War 
Department General Staffs Budget Division, RG 
165, are described in this chapter. 

RG 80 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, 
1798-1947 

11.134 The Department of the Navy, togeth¬ 
er with the operating forces under the Com¬ 
mander in Chief, United States Fleet, and the 
Shore Establishment, comprised the three princi¬ 
pal components of the Naval Establishment 
during World War II. The Navy Department 
served as the Washington headquarters of the 
Naval Establishment under the direction and 
supervision of the Secretary of the Navy, who 
was in turn directly responsible to the President 
as Commander in Chief of the armed forces of 
the United States. As of 1930 the Navy Depart¬ 
ment consisted of the Secretary and his principal 
civilian executive assistants; the Office of the 
Chief of Naval Operations; the Office of the 
Judge Advocate (Navy); eight bureaus responsi¬ 
ble for specific material aspects or functions 
(e.g.. Aeronautics, Ordnance, Medicine and 
Surgery); and several offices and divisions. 

11.135 The beginning of hostilities in Europe 
in 1939 resulted in major reorganizations as the 
Navy Department prepared for the eventuality of 
war. In 1940 the Bureau of Construction and 
Repair merged with the Bureau of Engineering 
to become the Bureau of Ships. The Offices of 
the Under and Assistant Secretaries, established 
in August 1940, informally divided responsibili¬ 
ties with the Secretary in the production and 
procurement of materiel and in the administra¬ 
tion and business management of the Navy 
Department. An Assistant Secretary for Aero¬ 
nautics, reestablished in September 1941, coordi- 


66 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 80 


nated naval aviation policy with other Govern¬ 
ment branches. The Office of Coordinator of 
Research and Development, which replaced the 
Technical Aide's Office in July 1941, unified 
Navy scientific and technological research 
activities. In 1942 the Office of the Chief of 
Naval Operations was combined with the Com¬ 
mander in Chief, U.S. Fleet for the duration of 
the war. 

The Executive Office of the Secretary of the 

Navy 

11.136 In December 1942 the Secretary of 
the Navy established the Executive Office of the 
Secretary of the Navy (also known as EXOS) as 
the administrative head of the various offices, 
divisions, boards, and commissions created to 
assist the Secretary and his civilian assistants in 
carrying out their responsibilities. 

11.137 The men who served as Secretary of 
the Navy during this period were James Edison 
(January-June 1940), Frank Knox (July 1940- 
April 1944), and James V. Forrestal (April 
1944-September 1947). 

11.138 Described in this chapter are the 
EXOS offices and records that relate to adminis¬ 
trative, budgetary, and personnel matters. Al¬ 
though EXOS was established in December 
1942, it inherited many records from the inter¬ 
war period, reflecting the continuing nature of 
many of these activities. Other records of EXOS 
components concerning policy and planning, 
manpower utilization, and the production and 
procurement of materiel are described in chap¬ 
ters I, III, and IV, respectively; records pertain¬ 
ing to the investigations into the attack on Pearl 
Harbor are described in chapter XII. 

11.139 The general correspondence of the 
Office of the Secretary of the Navy, 1940-42 
(497 ft.), is arranged according to the Navy 
Filing Manual (NFM)\ most letters also bear a 
six-digit code number indicating the date (e.g., 
420528 for May 28, 1942). Larger files are 
thereunder chronologically arranged; individual 
documents in the series are dated as early as 


1936. The series comprises the combined general 
correspondence of the Office of the Secretary of 
the Navy, the Judge Advocate General, and the 
Chief of Naval Operations for the period July 1, 
1940-June 30, 1942. After the latter date 
recordkeeping was decentralized and separate 
files established for each of the three offices. 
The correspondence is between these offices and 
other Navy Department offices and bureaus. 
Government agencies, and private companies and 
individuals. In some cases, a file contains only a 
copy of a cover letter, without its enclosure. 
Cross-reference sheets are scattered throughout 
the files. 

11.140 Large segments of the series pertain 
to personnel matters. Classification 00 (thereun¬ 
der arranged alphabetically by individual name) 
consists of scattered correspondence on individu¬ 
als serving or applying for service as Navy 
officers. These are not personnel files, but 
individual letters regarding such actions as a 
recall to duty, a payment claim, or an estimate 
of fitness. Closely related is classification QR3, 
comprising applications and recommendations 
for appointments as officers or callups for active 
duty from the Naval Reserves; the individuals 
here do not appear to duplicate those found 
under classification 00. Classification MM 
(thereunder arranged alphabetically by name) 
contains extensive documentation regarding naval 
personnel court martialed or otherwise impris¬ 
oned during the period. 

11.141 Information regarding naval warships 
and units is confined to routine administrative 
matters (e.g., inspection reports, assignments of 
officers). For destroyers USS Greer (classifica¬ 
tion DD 145) and USS Reuben James (DD 245), 
for example, there is no substantive information 
regarding their torpedoing in the North Atlantic 
in the autumn of 1941. Data concerning Marine 
Corps detachments on station (classification KP) 
consists of reports on traffic accidents involving 
Marine personnel or property. 

11.142 The series provides significant docu¬ 
mentation on strategic materials, contracting, and 
the construction of facilities in 1940-41. File 


67 





Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


A16-1(3) furnishes data on requirements and 
available stockpiles of such critical materials as 
copper, aluminum, and rubber; classification 
QM/A9-1 contains annual reports of oil compa¬ 
nies holding leases to oil fields under the Office 
of Naval Petroleum Reserves. General informa¬ 
tion on contracts with private firms is located in 
classifications L4-3 and QM/L4-3, with more 
detailed information scattered under the classifi¬ 
cations for specific naval installations (e.g., file 
NT4-3/L4-3 provides lists of contracts and 
contractors for the Navy Supply Depot at Nor¬ 
folk, VA). Classification JJ40 details purchases 
of equipment and supplies from private compa¬ 
nies. Extensive information concerning construc¬ 
tion and expansion of naval installations and 
facilities in specific Naval Districts can be found 
under classifications ND1 through ND17. 

11.143 Also of note is a collection of letters 
received by the Secretary from private citizens 
with suggestions for winning the war or requests 
for information about American citizens caught 
in combat zones at the beginning of hostilities 
(classification QW20). Strikes and labor disputes 
at companies under Navy contract are extensive¬ 
ly documented in file P8-l(3). Documentation of 
U.S. Navy recruiting (classification QN/P14-4) 
includes considerable information regarding the 
status and potential naval service of African- 
Americans. 

11.144 The name and subject index to the 
general correspondence, 1930-42 (138 ft.), 
constitutes a finding aid to the above series and 
to the general correspondence for the period 
1930-40. Each card in this alphabetically ar¬ 
ranged index contains a name or subject index 
entry, the date and abstract of the contents of the 
correspondence, and the file designation assigned 
to the correspondence. Where a single word 
indexes several names and subjects, the index 
cards are arranged in the following order: 
Persons, ships, places, and other. The prefix 
"U.S." is disregarded; "Me" entries are filed 
before "Mac." The index has been microfilmed 
as National Archives Microfilm Publication 
M1067. 


11.145 A supplemental finding aid to the 
general correspondence is provided by the letters 
sent ("spindle file"), July 1940-June 1942 (100 
ft.), consisting of duplicates of letters located in 
the general correspondence. These are arranged 
according to the class of addressee in the follow¬ 
ing subseries: Navy Department bureaus and 
offices; multiple addressees (heading "More than 
One"); official circulars, memorandums, etc.; 
naval districts; fleets and squadrons; naval shore 
activities; ships; officers; government agencies; 
Congressional representatives and committees; 
private individuals; and miscellaneous address¬ 
ees. Arrangement within the subseries is primari¬ 
ly alphabetical, excepting the naval districts, 
which are in numerical order; thereunder files 
are arranged chronologically. The letters provide 
file citations to the location of duplicate copies in 
the general correspondence. 

11.146 For the remainder of the war, the 
general correspondence of the Office of the 
Secretary of the Navy is arranged in the follow¬ 
ing chronological subseries: July 1942-June 
1943 (62 ft.), July 1943-June 1944 (38 ft.), 
July 1944-June 1945 (28 ft ), and July 1945- 
June 1946 (38 ft.). The arrangement follows that 
of the 1940-42 general correspondence, except 
that bulkier items are appended as "enclosures" 
to specific NFM classifications at the end of each 
subseries. Classification00 (thereunder arranged 
alphabetically) continues to provide the same 
kind of information concerning the appointment 
of officers noted earlier, as do classifications 
L4-3 (general contracts), QR3 (Naval Reserves), 
and QW20 (suggestions for war measures). In 
addition, the records provide considerable 
information concerning wages (classifications 
LI6-4 and P8-1) and general working conditions 
(PI8 and P20-1) for civilian employees at plants 
under Navy contract and at naval installations, 
data regarding lend-lease aid to other Allied 
powers (A16-4), and some intelligence publica¬ 
tions regarding German and Japanese forces 
(A8-2). Classification P14-2 consists of applica¬ 
tions for civilian employment, arranged alphabet¬ 
ically by name. Classification QR8 serves as an 


68 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 80 


informal index to records relating to the 
WAVES, consisting entirely of cross-reference 
sheets to documents scattered throughout the 
general correspondence. 

11.147 The indexes to the general corre¬ 
spondence, 1942-46 (126 ft.), are similar to the 
"spindle file" finding aid to the 1940-42 general 
correspondence. They are arranged in the same 
chronological subseries as found in the general 
correspondence. Within each of these subseries 
they are organized as follows: Miscellaneous 
(including private companies and individuals, 
thereunder arranged alphabetically); multiple 
addressees (heading "More than One"); Navy 
bureaus and offices; boards, committees, and 
courts; naval activities, including shipyards, 
depots, and other shore establishments (arranged 
alphabetically by geographic location), and naval 
districts (arranged numerically); fleets; and 
executive agencies (including Congress, arranged 
alphabetically by title). Within each category 
documents are arranged chronologically. The 
indexes comprise cross-reference sheets and 
some carbon copies of outgoing letters. 

11.148 Duplicates of correspondence found 
in the general correspondence files were micro¬ 
filmed by the Navy, apparently as a separate 
chronological record. The microfilm copy of 
miscellaneous letters sent, April 1942-March 
1943, reproduced on 20 rolls of 16mm micro¬ 
film, is chronologically arranged and includes 
correspondence sent by the Secretary, the Assis¬ 
tant Secretaries, the Chief and Vice-Chief of 
Naval Operations, aides to the secretary, and 
heads of EXOS divisions. More comprehensive 
is the microfilm copy of letters received, April 
1942-January 1947, reproduced on 503 rolls of 
16mm microfilm, arranged chronologically. 
These include letters received from all sources 
by the same offices noted above as well as by 
Navy bureau chiefs, the Judge Advocate Gener¬ 
al, and various Navy Department boards and 
divisions. 


The Administrative Office 

11.149 Within the Executive Office of the 
Secretary of the Navy, the Administrative Office 
(established July 1941) facilitated the general 
administration and business management of the 
Naval Establishment. It was responsible for 
management services, including "housekeeping" 
activities, warehousing, building security, trans¬ 
portation, rationing, and civilian payrolls and 
welfare, and for the general function of increas¬ 
ing the efficiency and economy of office opera¬ 
tion. The Office also acted in a staff capacity to 
the Naval Establishment on printing and publica¬ 
tions control, records management, microfilm 
programs, and office-space organization. 

11.150 By 1945 the Office comprised the 
Space Planning and Control Office, the Supply 
and Equipment Division, the Publications Divi¬ 
sion, the Office of Mail Coordination, the Office 
of Communications Coordinator, the Office of 
Provost Marshal, the Transportation Division, 
the Administrative Division, and the Office of 
Records Administration. 

11.151 The records of the last office are 
separately described elsewhere in this section. 
Many records of the Administrative Office have 
been incorporated within the EXOS general 
correspondence files already described. The 
remaining extant series are described below. 

11.152 The index to boards and commit¬ 
tees on which the Navy was represented, 1941- 
46 (1 ft.), is a card file that apparently served as 
an internal reference aid. The machine-generated 
cards are arranged according to type of commit¬ 
tee (e.g., joint with Army, intergovernmental, 
intrabureau), with a second arrangement accord¬ 
ing to card perforations. Each card includes the 
name of the committee, the authority under 
which it was established, its purpose, names of 
individuals serving on it, and names of subcom¬ 
mittees. 


69 



Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


11.153 The Navy Department's general 
orders, 1935-44 (less than 1 ft.), arranged 
chronologically in numerical order (1-208), 
include all orders of permanent and temporary 
application addressed to the Navy on matters not 
affecting Navy regulations or naval instructions. 
These records have been included in those 
microfilmed as National Archives Microfilm 
Publication M984, Navy Department General 
Orders 1863-1948. Complementing the general 
orders are the three series of changes in Navy 
regulations and instructions and circulars issued 
by the Navy Department, 1913-44 (totaling 2 
ft.), regulating the administration of pay and 
benefits. 

Office of Industrial Relations (formerly Divi¬ 

sion of Shore Establishments and Civilian 
Personnel) 

11.154 The Office of Industrial Relations 
(OIR) was established on September 14, 1945, 
as a redesignation of the Division of Shore 
Establishments and Civilian Personnel. The latter 
had come into existence on January 20, 1944, as 
a consolidation of the Shore Establishments 
Division and the Division of Personnel, Supervi¬ 
sion, and Management. OIR and its predecessors 
were responsible to the Under Secretary of the 
Navy for the administration of civilian personnel 
policy and procedures, particularly with regard 
to naval shore establishments. 

11.155 The Shore Establishments Division, 
established in 1921, managed and administered 
the activities and civilian personnel of naval 
yards and stations. During the war it also dealt 
with labor problems at private plants under 
contract to the Navy. The Division of Personnel, 
Supervision, and Management, created July 1, 
1941, supervised civilian personnel administra¬ 
tion and training within the Navy Department. 
Both offices and their consolidated successors 
dealt with civilian personnel actions, efficiency 
ratings, training, job safety and classification, 
wage administration, and employee relations. 


11.156 OIR's general correspondence, 
1945-46 (41 ft.), arranged by year and thereun¬ 
der according to the NFM, includes the 1945 
general correspondence of the Division of Shore 
Establishments and Civilian Personnel. Larger 
files are arranged chronologically. The corre¬ 
spondence furnishes information on the overall 
organization and management of the civilian 
personnel program (classification A3), the 
general civilian personnel situation at Navy shore 
establishments, particularly with regard to labor 
shortages and requirements (P16-1), training 
programs (PI 1-1), the use of prisoners of war 
(A 16-2), and relations with labor unions (P8-1). 
General statistical data can be found in classifica¬ 
tion A9-10. Extensive personnel data concerning 
individuals is located in P20-1 and PI6-1 (effi¬ 
ciency ratings and appeals) and P8-5 (com¬ 
plaints). 

11.157 The records also touch upon the 
broader issues of the Navy's position within 
society. Allegations of discrimination against 
civilian employees on the basis of race or union 
membership are particularly located in P-1-4, 
with additional information included under the 
general category of complaints and grievances 
(P8-5). The Navy's participation in meetings and 
conferences of business associations can be 
found in A19. 

11.158 The name and subject index to the 
general correspondence, 1945-46 (26 ft.), 
provides access to the above series. The index is 
arranged by year and thereunder in the following 
subseries: (1) Navy circular letters, memoran¬ 
dums, and civilian personnel instructions, each 
arranged chronologically; (2) naval districts, 
arranged numerically (1-17); (3) Navy Depart¬ 
ment bureaus and offices, arranged alphabetical¬ 
ly; (4) Government agencies outside the Navy 
Department, arranged alphabetically; (5) naval 
installations, arranged alphabetically; and (6) 
miscellaneous names, arranged alphabetically by 
name of individual or organization. The index 
consists of carbon copies of outgoing correspon¬ 
dence, together with cross-reference sheets that 
identify subjects, dates, and abstracts of contents 


70 





Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 80 


of individual documents, and appropriate file 
designations for related correspondence. As no 
general subjects or topics are indexed, however, 
this finding aid has only limited value. 

11.159 Among the records of OIR's subordi¬ 
nate offices, those most pertinent to industrial 
labor issues are located in the records of the 
Employment Branch's Industrial Manpower 
Section. Operational from September 1942 to 
August 1945, this section acted for the Navy in 
determining policies and procedures for dealing 
with industrial manpower problems affecting 
Navy civilian contractors and shore establish¬ 
ments. The section also served as the Navy's 
liaison with other Federal agencies concerned 
with industrial management. 

11.^160 The Industrial Manpower Section's 
correspondence is divided into two chronological 
series, each of which is accompanied by an 
index. The general correspondence, January 
1942-May 1944 (30 ft.), is arranged according 
to a subject-numeric classification scheme. Most 
correspondence postdates January 1943 but some 
letters dated as early as May 1941 are included. 
The arrangement consists of 10 major subject 
categories, arranged alphabetically as follows: 
Community facilities, companies (or industries), 
conservation of labor, federal security, organiza¬ 
tion, publications, recruitment, selective service, 
war manpower, and war production. Organiza¬ 
tional information on the Shore Establishments 
Division and the Industrial Manpower Section is 
located under category "organization”; general 
information on the use of women in war indus¬ 
tries can be found under "conservation of labor- 
12," with related correspondence on day care 
facilities for working mothers ("community 
facilities-3"). 

11.161 Such significant policy issues as the 
employment of women, African-Americans, and 
other minority groups, and the occupational 
deferment of needed civilian skills from military 
conscription, are reflected at the grassroots level 
in the minutes of meetings of regional Manpower 
Priorities Committees and Production Urgency 
Committees ("war production"); the same 


category also includes minutes of meetings of the 
Labor Requirements Committee of the War 
Production Board, September 1942-January 
1943. Important data on wartime operation of 
key industries is incorporated within the "com¬ 
panies" category; for example, the production of 
U.S. submarines is documented in the file for 
the "Electric Boat Company." 

11.162 This series is complemented by the 
general correspondence, June 1944-August 
1945 (24 ft.), distinguished by its arrangement 
according to the Navy Filing Manual. Corre¬ 
spondence and contracts with individual firms 
are integrated within classification P16-1, which 
also includes administrative and activity reports 
of the War Manpower Commission and the War 
Production Board. Information regarding the 
employment of women is here located in PI4-2, 
and minutes of meetings of the regional commit¬ 
tees noted earlier are contained in A19. Consid¬ 
erable statistical data regarding manpower 
availability, shortages, and requirements can be 
found in A9 and PI6-1. Classification A16-2 
documents the use of POWs in war production. 

11.163 The name and subject indexes to 
the general correspondence, January 1942- 
May 1944 and June 1944-August 1945 (6 ft. 
and 8 ft., respectively), follow essentially the 
same arrangement of subseries, with the same 
type of documentation, as that noted for the 
name and subject index to OIR's general corre¬ 
spondence described earlier. As with the OIR 
index, no general subjects or topics are indexed, 
thus limiting the value of these finding aids. 

11.164 Office of Industrial Relations records 
also include some records maintained by its 
immediate predecessor, the Division of Shore 
Establishments and Civilian Personnel. The 
office's correspondence files are arranged chro¬ 
nologically. The general correspondence, 1943 
(12 ft.), arranged according to the Navy Filing 
Manual , principally relates to wage schedules 
(classification LI6-4), promotion and demotion 
(P17-2), and hours of work (P18-2). A partial 
index to the series is provided by an alphabeti¬ 
cal file, 1943 (8 ft.), consisting of outgoing 


71 


Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


correspondence accompanied by the same types 
of cross-reference sheets as described earlier. 
The alphabetical file is arranged into the follow¬ 
ing subseries, thereunder chronologically: 
Circular letters and multiple addressees; memo¬ 
randums for file; naval districts; Navy Depart¬ 
ment bureaus and offices; Government depart¬ 
ments and agencies; naval activities; and miscel¬ 
laneous addresses. This pattern is duplicated for 
1944 materials with the general correspon¬ 
dence, 1944 (20 ft.), and alphabetical file, 1944 
(11 ft.), each of which is arranged in the same 
manner as its 1943 counterpart. Appended to the 
end of the 1944 general correspondence are 
some unarranged subject files for specific naval 
installations. 

11.165 Distinct from the other 1944 materi¬ 
als is a chronological file of correspondence 
relating to personnel, July-December 1944 (5 
ft.). Arranged by month and thereunder alpha¬ 
betically, the correspondence concerns employ¬ 
ment applications, appointments, transfers, 
transportation, pay, and other personnel matters 
affecting individual civilian employees in the 
Shore Establishment. 

11.166 Among other subordinate units of 
OIR, the records of the Employee Relations 
Branch document beneficial suggestions offered 
by civilian workers, the vast majority of which 
concern proposed mechanical devices or tech¬ 
niques. The earliest are located in the beneficial 
suggestion case files, August 1918-December 
1942 (5 ft.), arranged in case folders alphabeti¬ 
cally by name of employee. These include 
descriptions, drawings, diagrams, and blueprints 
of suggested devices, releases by employees of 
title to their suggestions, and receipts of payment 
for suggestion awards. Roughly one-quarter of 
the case files pertain to the 1940-42 period. 
More extensive are the beneficial suggestion 
case files, 1943-47 (163 ft.), arranged by year 
and thereunder alphabetically by name of em¬ 
ployee. A continuation of the earlier series, this 
material duplicates the types of information and 
documentation found earlier. Where more than 
one suggestion was made by the same individual, 


all pertinent records are filed together in the 
same folder. 

11.167 Records of OIR's Safety Engineering 
Branch consist of two series. The general corre¬ 
spondence, 1923-43 (15 ft.), is arranged accord¬ 
ing to a subject-numeric filing scheme, a key to 
which is located at the beginning of the series. 
The majority of the material originated during 
the war years and relates to safety procedures 
and equipment for civilian employees working in 
war industries. Included are monthly accident 
reports (classification 102), agenda and minutes 
of meetings and conferences of various safety 
committees and groups (314), and a collection of 
correspondence, publications, press clippings, 
and illustrations of protective clothing and 
equipment for women workers (308-7). Safety 
publications are scattered throughout the series. 

11.168 More pertinent to safety programs at 
specific naval installations is correspondence 
with field activities, 1930-43 (4 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by geographic name of installation 
(e.g., "Terminal Island" for Naval Air Station, 
Roosevelt Base, Terminal Island). This relates to 
local safety engineering activities and incidents, 
industrial health, and accident prevention pro¬ 
grams, primarily for the 1941-43 period. 

Office of Budget and Reports 

11.169 The Office of Budget and Reports 
(OBR), established on January 4, 1941, assumed 
the functions of the former Central Statistical 
Office and the Budget Office, both of which 
were abolished. The former Budget Officer of 
the Department of the Navy took charge of the 
new office as Director of Budget Reports. 
Throughout the war OBR prepared estimates for 
the Navy's budget, reviewed and integrated 
preliminary budget estimates of the various Navy 
offices and bureaus, prepared and transmitted the 
annual Navy Department budget to the Bureau of 
the Budget, and revised the budgetary program 
to suit allotted funds as approved by Congress. 
For the first year of its existence OBR also 


72 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 80 


coordinated and analyzed general statistical data 
received from various Navy offices and bureaus. 

11.170 In January 1942 the Division of 
Reports, which had performed the statistical 
functions within OBR, was transferred to the 
newly established Office of Procurement and 
Material. Thereafter OBR concerned itself 
almost exclusively with budgetary matters. 
Through 1942 it included separate branches for 
estimates, lend-lease, and financial reports. By 

1945 OBR's organization consisted of sections 
for administration, financial reports, hearings, 
defense aid, and appropriations for miscellaneous 
expenses. Throughout the war OBR was headed 
by an Executive Officer, initially Lt. Cmdr. C. 
Bouton McDougal, succeeded by Comdr. John 
W. Avirett. After the war the Office was briefly 
consolidated with the Office of Fiscal Director, 
but regained independent status in 1947. 

11.171 The records of OBR, including those 
of the predecessor Budget Office, number ap¬ 
proximately 62 ft. Among these materials, the 
reading file ("spindle file"), May 1926-July 

1946 (15 ft.), arranged chronologically, consists 
largely of file copies of outgoing correspondence 
and memorandums of OBR concerning budgetary 
matters on all aspects of Navy activities. Includ¬ 
ed are some incoming letters, memorandums, 
and reports on these topics. The vast majority of 
the correspondence dates from the period 1940- 
45. 

11.172 More comprehensive for this period 
is the general correspondence, January 1940- 
March 1947 (12 ft.), arranged according to a 
subject-numeric classification with 13 subjects 
(designated I-II, IV-XIV). The series includes 
incoming and outgoing correspondence, reports, 
memorandums, and congressional legislation. 
Subject categories include appropriations (I); 
national defense (II); Navy appropriation bills 
(IV); naval aviation (V); ships (VI); organization 
(comprising general organizational data on the 
Navy) (VII); legislation (VIII); auxiliary forces 
of the Navy (Marines, Coast Guard) (IX); public 
works (X); Government travel and transportation 
(including inspection reports prepared by OBR, 


the Bureau of the Budget, and Congress) (XI); 
publicity reports (XII); treaty authorizations and 
naval policy (XIII); and miscellaneous (XIV). A 
list of file subheadings is located at the begin¬ 
ning of the series. 

11.173 Access to part of the general corre¬ 
spondence is facilitated by a subject card index 
for the 1943-47 period. Arranged alphabetically 
by subject, the cards provide the dates, corre¬ 
spondents, topics, and file designations for 
general subjects. No named individuals are 
included. 

11.174 Records relating to budget prepa¬ 
rations and estimates for fiscal years 1941-48, 
January 1939-March 1947 (6 ft.), arranged by 
fiscal year and thereunder chronologically, 
constitute a working file in the preparation of 
budgets. Included are testimony and speeches 
given by Navy officials before congressional 
committees and the Bureau of the Budget; 
estimates and statements of expenditures; draft 
budgets; and numerous statistical tabulations 
regarding Navy personnel, ships, and aircraft. 

11.175 Similar in nature, but more valuable 
for postwar planning information are budget 
estimates and related records for fiscal years 
1945-47, 1944-46 (19 ft.), arranged by fiscal 
year, thereunder by type of budget action (e.g., 
Presentations before Congressional Committees, 
Preliminary Estimates), and thereunder by book 
number. For most budget actions, books are 
numbered 1-14 according to general subject 
(e.g., Book 2, training, education, and welfare; 
Book 11, increase and replacement of naval 
vessels) or organization (e.g.. Book 4, Mainte¬ 
nance, Bureau of Ships; Book 10, Marine 
Corps). Proposed expenditures are generally 
presented in a detailed listing for specific pro¬ 
jects or activities, often accompanied by justifi¬ 
cations or statements of office functions. 

11.176 Additional postwar budgetary plan¬ 
ning is documented by records relating to 
planning, August 1945-January 1946 (2 ft.), 
arranged in three subseries according to types of 
plans: Subsidiary postwar plans, subsidiary 
demobilization plans, and plans of postwar 


73 


Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


cutbacks. The first and last concern budgetary 
planning for specific offices and activities, and 
demobilization plans relate to the disposal of 
surplus property and installations. Two other 
small series (totaling less than 1 ft.) also relate 
to demobilization planning and postwar person¬ 
nel requirements. 

11.177 The office files of the Executive 
Officer, 1941-46 (6 ft.), arranged alphabetically 
by subject, consist largely of correspondence 
relating to the preparation, implementation, and 
termination of contracts and to changes in con¬ 
tract procedures. Included is organizational and 
personnel data regarding the Executive Officer's 
staff, and contract forms used throughout the 
Navy during this period. 

11.178 Additional series of OBR records 
(totaling less than 2 ft.) include circular letters, 
1932-38, issued by the Navy Budget Officer; 
circulars and bulletins of the Bureau of the 
Budget, 1926-45; directives and orders relat¬ 
ing to procurement, 1941-44; and miscella¬ 
neous records, 1943-46, including some infor¬ 
mation concerning lend-lease aid and its return, 
1945-46. 

Office of the Fiscal Director 

11.179 The establishment of the Office of 
Fiscal Director on December 2, 1944, resulted 
from the need for a more centralized coordina¬ 
tion and direction of the Navy's fiscal program. 
The Office assumed functions previously or 
partially exercised by the Office of Budget and 
Reports, the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, 
and the Under Secretary of the Navy. Reporting 
directly to the Secretary of the Navy, the Fiscal 
Director was assisted by a unit of the Office of 
Budget and Reports in budgetary estimates and 
appropriations, by fiscal divisions established in 
all Navy bureaus and offices, and by the Navy 
Department's General Counsel in legal matters. 

11.180 Rear Adm. Wilfried J. McNeill 
served as Fiscal Director from the office's 
establishment until late 1947. For most of its 
existence the Office's subordinate branches 


included those for Fiscal Management, Policy 
Management, Systems and Control Procedures, 
and Special Costs and Audit. In 1950 the Office 
of Fiscal Director was replaced by the Office of 
the Comptroller. Records of the Office number 
approximately 22 ft., selected series of which 
are described below. 

11.181 The Office's general correspon¬ 
dence, 1944-45 (5 ft.), arranged according to the 
NFM, documents relations with other Navy 
bureaus and offices, with the Bureau of the 
Budget and the General Accounting Office, and 
with members of Congress. Some items date 
back to the 1930's. The material concerns budget 
preparations, hearings, and presentations before 
Congress and the Bureau of the Budget (classifi¬ 
cation LI); contracts negotiated with private 
companies (L4-3); and the application of cost¬ 
accounting procedures throughout the Navy 
(L10). Information concerning the organization 
and personnel of the Office can be found in 
classifications PI6-1 through P20-2. A partial 
index to the contents of this series for 1945 is 
provided by the reading file, 1945, consisting of 
chronologically arranged outgoing correspon¬ 
dence from the Fiscal Director, many of which 
provide cross-references to more comprehensive 
files in the general correspondence. 

11.182 Several series pertain to the standard¬ 
ization of Navy accounting procedures. Reports 
of accounting procedures at naval shore 
establishments, 1944 (2 ft.), arranged by State 
and thereunder by installation, were compiled by 
the Accounting Group within the Bureau of 
Supplies and Accounts from surveys of disburs¬ 
ing, time- and leave-keeping and payroll of 
personnel, and inventory and management 
accounting at Navy yards, air stations, and 
supply depots. Records relating to surveys of 
accounting procedures in naval shipyards, 
1946-47 (12 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
subject, constitute working files accumulated by 
the Shipyard Accounting Group within the 
Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. Most pertain 
to surveys of individual shipyards' accounting 
and reporting procedures, with considerable 


74 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 80 


statistical and organizational data. Some records 
also concern the general administration and 
functions of the Shipyard Accounting Group, 
including handbooks for cost accounting devel¬ 
oped by the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. 

11.183 More general is correspondence 
relating to accounting procedures and fiscal 
administration, 1943-45 (1 ft.). This is arranged 
in three subseries, each of which is arranged 
alphabetically by subject and thereunder chrono¬ 
logically. Respectively, they document (1) the 
history and functions of the Office of Fiscal 
Director, (2) proposed changes in accounting 
organization and procedures, and (3) civilian 
personnel policies with respect to the Office of 
Fiscal Director. 

11.184 Of the remaining small series, only 
joint Navy-War Production Board audit 
reports of controlled material programs at 
Navy yards, September 1943-May 1945 (0.5 
ft.), relate to wartime activities. Arranged 
alphabetically by name of navy yard, the records 
detail stock accounts of steel, aluminum, and 
copper requirements at these facilities. 

Office of Records Administration 

11.185 On October 10, 1941, the Office of 
Records Coordination was established by the 
Secretary of the Navy to plan, coordinate, and 
improve records administration throughout the 
Naval Establishment. The Office was directed to 
create methods and procedures relating to creat¬ 
ing, organizing, servicing, preserving, micro¬ 
filming, destroying, and transferring custody of 
Navy records. On September 1, 1942, the Office 
was renamed the Office of Records Administra¬ 
tion under Emmet J. Leahy. Throughout the war 
its activities were supervised by the Under 
Secretary of the Navy. The Office was redesig¬ 
nated the Office Methods Branch on January 1, 
1946. 

11.186 The Office's general correspon¬ 
dence, 1941-47 (6 ft.), is arranged according to 
a numeric-subject filing scheme, a copy of which 
is included at the beginning of the series. The 


series is invaluable as a guide to the types of 
records created and maintained by Navy vessels 
and units during the war and the disposition of 
these records at war's end. Listings of the 
records maintained on board individual U.S. 
warships, for example, are located in classifica¬ 
tion NR 1-3 ("Fleet Administrative Correspon¬ 
dence"); records schedules used in the disposal 
or permanent retention of Navy records are 
located in classification NR4. The records 
provide information on the disposition of con¬ 
tracts (NR1-1), Marine Corps records (NR 1-8), 
and Coast Guard records (NR1-13). Unautho¬ 
rized destruction of records is documented in 
classifications NR9 and NR7. 

11.187 Also included is extensive correspon¬ 
dence with and about the National Archives 
(NA1-1 through NA1-3 and NR5-1), including 
organizational data and negotiations on the 
permanent transfer of records. Information 
regarding staffing and personnel within the 
Office of Records Administration can be found 
in classifications PE4 through PE9. Classifica¬ 
tion category PE also documents the disposition 
of Navy medical records (PE (Medical 
Records)). 

Office of the Management Engineer 

11.188 Originally organized within the 
Administrative Office in March 1942, the Office 
of the Management Engineer acquired indepen¬ 
dent status under the Assistant Secretary of the 
Navy on January 5, 1944. On September 1, 
1944, it was made responsible to the Under 
Secretary, under whom it operated for the rest of 
the war. The Management Engineer and his staff 
advised and assisted the Navy Department in 
developing an adequate organizational structure, 
coordinating management activities in the De¬ 
partment, eliminating nonessential work, and 
improving personnel use. 

11.189 Extant records of the Office of the 
Management Engineer do not reflect all of these 
activities, but focus on the elimination of unnec¬ 
essary paperwork in 1942. Three series of 


75 




Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


records relate to this issue, comprising question¬ 
naires and sample forms, 1942 (4 ft.); bureau 
reports and correspondence, June 1942- 
January 1943 (5 ft.); and lists of forms and 
reports eliminated, September-December 1942 
(2 ft.). The material thus complements the 
records of the Office of Records Administration, 
described earlier in this section. 

Navy Department Board of Decorations and 

Awards 

11.190 The Navy Department Board of 
Decorations and Awards (until December 1942, 
the Board of Awards) offered recommendations 
to the Secretary of the Navy on the bestowal of 
honors within the Navy, aided in preparing 
legislation, executive orders, and general orders 
regarding awards and medals, and cooperated in 
defining policies and designing medals. After the 
war the Board cooperated with the Board to 
Review Recommendations for Awards of Deco¬ 
rations and Medals (established by the Secretary 
of the Navy in December 1945). 

11.191 Letters to the Secretary of the 
Navy relating to recommendations for awards, 
1945-47 (2 ft.), arranged alphabetically by initial 
letter of surname of the person recommended, 
comprise brief statements of approval or disap¬ 
proval of awards to Navy personnel. No details 
concerning the actions for which the individuals 
were recommended are provided. Such informa¬ 
tion is available in the briefs of cases acted 
upon by the Board, 1927-42 (1 ft.), arranged 
chronologically, but only for individual acts of 
heroism that occurred at the beginning of the 
war. The series principally documents recom¬ 
mended awards for World War I and interwar 
actions, including some connected with the 
sinking of the USS Panav in China, 1937. The 
briefs are presented in tabular format, with name 
and station of nominee, name(s) of person(s) 
recommending the award, kind of award, ab¬ 
stracts of documentation supporting the recom¬ 
mendation, and nature of final action of the 
Board. 


Related Records 

11.192 Additional information regarding the 
administration, budget, and personnel issues of 
the Navy Department are included among the 
correspondence files of the Secretary of the 
Navy and of the Under and Assistant Secretaries, 
RG 80. These records are described in chapters 
I and IV. More detailed documentation will be 
found among Records of the Bureau of Naval 
Personnel, RG 24, and Records of the Bureau of 
Supplies and Accounts, RG 143, both of which 
are described in this chapter. 

RG 24 RECORDS OF THE BUREAU OF 
NAVAL PERSONNEL 

11.193 The Bureau of Naval Personnel 
originated in July 1862 as the Bureau of Naviga¬ 
tion, which was responsible for certain personnel 
functions relating to officers. Over the next 80 
years nonpersonnel functions were gradually 
transferred to other offices and personnel func¬ 
tions were added until, in May 1942, the Bureau 
of Navigation was redesignated the Bureau of 
Naval Personnel. During World War II the 
Bureau directed the procurement, training, 
assignment, welfare, and separation of Navy 
officers and enlisted men. Additionally, the 
Bureau supervised the U.S. Naval Academy, the 
Naval War College, the "V-12" program (for 
educating and training college students as future 
junior officers, into which the Naval Reserve 
Officers Training Corps was incorporated), and 
other schools; established complements of Navy 
ships; directed the activities of the Navy Chap¬ 
lain Corps; and toward the end of the war 
administered the payment of allowances and 
allotments to relatives of servicemen. The Bu¬ 
reau was also responsible for naval aviation 
training until October 1943, when this function 
was transferred to the Bureau of Aeronautics. 

11.194 In addition to the Office of the Chief 
of Naval Personnel, the Bureau's principal 
wartime components (generally called "activi¬ 
ties") included the Planning and Control Activi- 


76 






Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 24 


ty, the Officer Personnel Activity, the Enlisted 
Personnel Activity, the Training Activity, the 
Welfare Activity, the Records and Transporta¬ 
tion Activity, the Chaplains Division, and a large 
number of Field Activities. The head of the 
Bureau from June 1939 to December 1941 was 
Rear Adm. Chester W. Nimitz; he was succeed¬ 
ed by Rear (later Vice) Adm. Randall Jacobs, 
who served as Chief of Naval Personnel until 
September 1945. 

11.195 The volume of records created by the 
Bureau precludes detailed description. Postwar 
reorganizations of the Bureau, moreover, redis¬ 
tributed wartime files, so that extant records do 
not necessarily follow the Bureau's original 
organization. Principal subgroups and selected 
series are described below. 

11.196 The Bureau's general correspon¬ 
dence, 1925-45 (ca. 1,964 ft.), is divided into 
two chronological subseries (1925-40 and 1941- 
45) and thereunder arranged according to the 
alpha-numeric scheme of the NFM\ larger indi¬ 
vidual files within this scheme are thereunder 
arranged chronologically. The 1925-40 subseries 
(ca. 706 ft.) primarily relates to personnel and 
administrative issues. Appointments and enlist¬ 
ments are detailed in the files under classification 
P14; data regarding personnel strength and 
distribution is located under classification PI6-1. 
Classification PI7-2 documents advancement and 
promotion policies and cases. Statistical data on 
general strength, casualties, and religious and 
ethnic composition of Navy personnel can be 
found under classification A9-10(A). 

11.197 In addition, extensive data concern¬ 
ing Navy aviation is located under classification 
EN 11, including numerous issues of the bi¬ 
weekly Bureau of Aeronautics Newsletter , Feb¬ 
ruary 1925-March 1940 (files EN 11/A7-1 
(1-114)). Information for specific ships, includ¬ 
ing personnel transfers, repairs and alterations 
costs, and allocation of new equipment, can be 
found under the subject classifications for those 
vessels (e.g., BB39 for USS Arizona . DD245 
for USS Reuben James , etc.). Intelligence on 
personnel policies in foreign navies is filed under 


the general classification EF, with considerable 
data for the British (classification EF 13), 
German (EF 30), Italian (EF 36) and Japanese 
(EF 37) navies. Files EF 16/21-674 and EF 
37/150-474 comprise numerous reports of U.S. 
Navy and Marine Corps representatives in China 
regarding the Sino-Japanese conflict and Japan's 
relations with Western powers, November 1935- 
November 1941. File A 18/1224 contains a 
listing of the casualties suffered aboard the 
gunboat USS Panav . sunk by the Japanese in 
December 1937. 

11.198 The 1941-45 subseries (ca. 1,258 ft.) 
duplicates for the war period the categories of 
information noted above filed under the same 
subject classifications. In addition, wartime Navy 
recruitment is described under classification 
PI4-4, and personnel training under classifi¬ 
cation PI 1-1. Individual awards and decorations 
are described under classifications PI5 and QB4; 
the former also includes unit citations. The 
discharge and demobilization of personnel is 
documented under P19. 

11.199 Wartime administration of the U.S. 
Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, and the Naval 
War College, Newport, RI, are described under 
classifications NC2 and NC3, respectively. The 
activities of the Office of the Director of the 
Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency 
Service are primarily documented under classifi¬ 
cation QR8. Information concerning recreational 
programs and USO shows for naval personnel 
can be found throughout classification P21. 

11.200 Individual and aggregate data on 
casualties can be found under P6-1; additional 
information regarding captured and missing 
personnel is located under A16-2. It should be 
noted, however, that the files for individual 
warships (e.g., BB39 for USS Arizona . CV5 for 
USS Yorktown) do not include data on personnel 
losses or damage suffered in combat engage¬ 
ments. 

11.201 The Bureau of Navigation/Naval 
Personnel's annual reports, or material collected 
for inclusion with the Secretary of the Navy's 
annual reports, for the years 1941-46 are located 


77 







Record Group 24 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


under classification A9-1. Lend-lease aid to 
Allied powers is documented in classification 
A16-4. General data on naval aviation, including 
scattered copies of the Bureau of Aeronautics 
Newsletter from April 1940 to January 1943, can 
be found under EN 11/A7-1; classification A 
21/Ll 1-1 details losses of individual aircraft. 
Wartime intelligence on personnel policies in the 
German, Italian, and Japanese Navies is located 
under classifications EF 30, 36, and 37, respec¬ 
tively; extensive data on personnel policies 
within the British and Canadian Navies can be 
found in EF 13. 

11.202 Indexes to the Bureau's general 
correspondence are provided by subject cards, 
1903-45, arranged alphabetically by name of 
subject, individual, company, or geographic 
location, and thereunder chronologically, and by 
the Navy Filing Manual card index ("history 
cards"), 1925-42, arranged according to the 
NFM and thereunder chronologically. The 
subject cards facilitate access by means of 
references to individuals, companies, geographic 
locations, and subjects mentioned in the general 
correspondence; each card lists several cross- 
references to individual documents, including the 
dates, file numbers, and abstracts of the docu¬ 
ments' content. The Navy Filing Manual card 
index provides listings of the documents con¬ 
tained in each file, including subordinate file 
numbers, dates, and abstracts of contents. Al¬ 
though the latter requires a greater familiarity 
with the filing scheme, it appears more compre¬ 
hensive than the subject cards. For example, 
entries for the battleship USS Arizona in the 
NFM index (located under classifications BB39) 
total 87 cards, while equivalent entries in the 
subject cards (arranged alphabetically under the 
general subject "Ship") total 16 cards. 

11.203 Logs of United States naval ships 
and stations, 1801-1947, numbering approxi¬ 
mately 72,500 volumes (8,060 ft.), are divided 
into chronological subseries for the periods 
1801-1914, 1915-40, and 1941-47, the last of 
which constitutes the vast majority of the re¬ 
cords. The 1941-47 subseries is further divided 


into three sections, including (1) vessels known 
primarily by nominal designations (e.g., USS 
Arizona) : (2) smaller vessels primarily identified 
by symbol and/or number designations (e.g., 
LST-294, PT-109); and (3) a very small number 
of shore establishments and miscellaneous units 
for the 1941-42 period (e.g., Argentia Air 
Station, Newfoundland; Airship Patrol Squad¬ 
rons 11-13). Each vessel's or unit's logbooks are 
arranged chronologically. 

11.204 By World War II Navy logbooks had 
assumed a standard format: Preliminary pages, 
identifying the ship's symbol or name, the 
squadron, flotilla, or fleet to which it belonged, 
the names of the ship's officers, and the log's 
date span; the main logbook, with daily entries 
recording the ship's position and movements, 
weather and sea conditions, and quantities of 
stores; and a narrative ("Remarks") of events 
and activities. Entries under the last category 
included information on personnel changes, 
passengers, disciplinary actions, injuries, training 
exercises, combat actions, prisoners of war 
taken, and casualties suffered. Although most 
entries are typed, some are handwritten. The 
final logbooks for vessels sunk or otherwise 
destroyed were usually lost with the ship; for 
example, extant logs for USS Arizona , lost at 
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, conclude on 
October 31, 1941. 

11.205 For many Navy vessels, logbooks 
have been available only through the end of June 
1945. Those covering the remainder of 1945 are 
now being accessioned by the National Archives 
and should be available by 1995. 

11.206 At the end of 1942, constraints of 
time and personnel led to the Navy Department's 
decision to drop the requirement for a separate 
war diary to be maintained by each warship 
engaged in operations. In place of a war diary, 
the "Remarks" section of the logbook became 
the daily operational record for each warship 
throughout 1943. The "Remarks" section (there¬ 
after identified as "Operational Remarks") was 
removed from each logbook and forwarded to 
the Chief of Naval Operations for retention with 


78 





Records of World War II, Part 1 

other war diaries; often a narrative of "Adminis¬ 
trative Remarks," concerned only with personnel 
actions, remained with the logbook. At the 
beginning of 1944, the Navy Department rein¬ 
stated the requirement for a separate war diary, 
and thereafter logbooks returned to the format of 
1941-42. (The withdrawn "Remarks" sections 
are currently interfiled with other Navy war 
diaries for World War II, in the custody of the 
Operational Archives, Naval Historical Center, 
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC. They 
are tentatively scheduled for transfer to the 
National Archives in 1995.) 

11.207 A complete listing of available logs 
is reproduced as Special List 44: List of Log¬ 
books ofp.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Miscel¬ 
laneous Units, 1801-1947 (Washington, DC, 
1978). Each entry in the special list includes the 
name or designation of a vessel or unit, the date 
span of the logbooks for that vessel, and the 
number of logbooks. All gaps of one month or 
more are noted in the list, which also includes 
sample illustrations of logbook entries. 

11.208 Although combat engagements are 
detailed in narrative form in the logs, the more 
comprehensive action reports regularly submitted 
by engaged vessels remain in the custody of the 
Operational Archives, Naval Historical Center, 
Washington Navy Yard. These are also tenta¬ 
tively scheduled for transfer to the National 
Archives in 1995. 

11.209 Related to the logbooks are opera¬ 
tional and signal logs of U.S. Navy Armed 
Guard units aboard merchant vessels, 1943-45 
(325 ft.), arranged alphabetically by name of 
ship and thereunder chronologically. The records 
consist of typed and handwritten daily logs of the 
activities of these Armed Guard units, together 
with signal logbooks of messages sent and 
received by the ships. While the logs do not 
directly reflect ships' movements and activities, 
they do describe some operations of the convoys 
to which these vessels were attached. Personnel 
data for Armed Guard crews follows the same 
format as that found in U.S. Navy logbooks 
(e.g., personnel transfers, injuries, disciplinary 


Record Group 24 

actions, casualties); occasionally unit rosters are 
also included. 

11.210 The operational content of these 
records is limited. Records do not include 
vessels sunk by enemy action or otherwise lost, 
nor do they include foreign-flag vessels (for 
example, those under Panamanian, Mexican, or 
Cuban registry) on which Armed Guard units 
were also regularly placed. Moreover, for many 
of the vessels the Armed Guard logs begin only 
in 1944, too late for any reference to known 
engagements between armed merchantmen and 
German U-boats that occurred during the 1942- 
43 period. The records may be seen as comple¬ 
mentary to those of the Naval Transportation 
Service's Armed Guard Files, 1940-45, RG 38, 
described in chapter IX. 

11.211 The most extensive collection of 
wartime personnel data can be found among 
microfilm copies of muster rolls of ships, 
stations, and other naval activities, September 
1,1939-January 1,1949, reproduced on 19,504 
rolls of 16mm microfilm. These are arranged in 
separate subseries for ships and for nonship 
activities (e.g., shore establishments, aviation 
units, construction, training, and other miscella¬ 
neous units, and Marine Corps units); each 
subseries is arranged alphabetically by name or 
symbol of ship, establishment, or unit and 
thereunder chronologically. Named ships and 
smaller craft designated only by symbols and 
numbers are interfiled in the ships subseries; 
thus, ship AB-1 follows USS Aaron Ward . 
Within the nonship subseries, aviation units are 
included within the general alphabetical arrange¬ 
ment according to type of unit and thereunder by 
number; e.g., "Patrol Bombing Squadron, No. 1 
(through No. 123)." Marine Corps musters are 
generally arranged numerically by unit designa¬ 
tion. Each roll typically reproduces the muster 
rolls of one ship or unit. There is no comprehen¬ 
sive numbering of microfilm rolls. 

11.212 Each ship's or unit's records include 
four types of muster rolls: (1) Quarterly rolls, 
alphabetical lists of enlisted personnel attached to 
a ship or unit; (2) reports of changes, alpha- 


79 



Record Group 24 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


betical lists of enlisted personnel affected by 
transfers or ratings changes, submitted monthly; 
(3) passenger lists, for individuals other than 
enlisted personnel embarked on a ship; and (4) 
recapitulation sheets, submitted after a ship or 
unit was decommissioned, summarizing changes 
of personnel and ratings, totals of men on sick 
list and of man days in the brig, and total gains 
or losses through enlistment, reenlistment, and 
discharge. The quarterly rolls and reports of 
changes are most significant in furnishing names 
of personnel; recapitulation sheets provide 
summary statistics of personnel. 

11.213 In addition to information about 
individuals, the muster rolls provide data on 
casualties suffered aboard vessels lost in action, 
which is generally unavailable in the logbooks 
described earlier. For example, the muster rolls 
for USS Arizona , sunk at Pearl Harbor on 
December 7, 1941, provide detailed information 
on casualties suffered in the action, updated 
through March 31, 1942. Exceptions to this are 
the musters of Marine Corps units lost in the 
Philippine Islands, China, and Wake Island, 
1941-42, where data on individual losses is 
fragmentary. 

11.214 Indexes to microfilm copies of 
muster rolls are arranged in chronological 
subseries for 1941-46 and 1946-48 and thereun¬ 
der alphabetically by name or designation of ship 
or by category of unit (e.g., "Air Bases," 
"Aviation Squadrons"). The indexes list the ships 
or units and date spans reproduced on each roll. 
Although comprehensive in coverage, the index¬ 
es refer to an arrangement that no longer per¬ 
tains; the index entries for "Training Schools," 
for example, include references to "Naval 
Training School (Radio) Miami University, 
Oxford, Ohio," the roll for which is now filed as 
"Radio Naval Training School, Miami Universi¬ 
ty, Oxford, Ohio." 

11.215 Reports of enlistments at Navy 
recruiting stations, 1903-42, fill 376 volumes 
(101 ft.), 17 of which pertain to fiscal year July 
1941-June 1942. The series is arranged chrono¬ 
logically by fiscal year and thereunder alphabeti¬ 


cally by city in which naval recruiting stations 
were located. For each naval recruiting station, 
weekly enlistment reports identify the individuals 
accepted for service, providing for each recruit 
his service number, name, date of enlistment, 
initial rating, term of enlistment, and name of 
the vessel or facility to which the individual was 
assigned. The weekly reports also furnish the 
number of applicants and the number rejected, 
arranged by state. 

11.216 Wartime records of the Bureau's 

component divisions document a variety of Navy 
activities. The Planning and Control Activity's 
administrative history of the Bureau of Naval 
Personnel in World War II (1 ft.), arranged by 
component division, provides a summary account 
of the Bureau's activities. Within the Enlisted 
Personnel Activity, the Recruiting and Induction 
Division's records of the publicity and adver¬ 
tising section relating to the Navy Recruiting 
Program, 1940-1945 (4 ft.), for the most part 
unarranged, consist of bound scrapbooks of 
newspaper clippings and enlistment posters. 
Some of these pertain to specific branches of the 
Navy, including the WAVES and Navy construc¬ 
tion battalions ("Seabees"). The general records 
of the Naval Research Personnel Board, 
March 1944-September 1945 (2 ft.), 

unarranged, document that body's basic policies, 
procedures, and decisions (including minutes of 
meetings) regarding the use of civilian special¬ 
ists. 

11.217 The Chaplain Division's miscella¬ 
neous records relating to chaplains, 1898-1946 
(9 ft.), arranged in part alphabetically by sub¬ 
ject, are mostly certificates of appreciation 
awarded to churches whose ministers had entered 
the Navy Chaplain Corps. Also included are logs 
of daily activities at the Chaplains School in 
Williamsburg, VA, January-May 1945, and a 
scrapbook of chaplains' activities at the Navy 
Amphibious Training Base, Ft. Pierce, FL. 
Records containing biographical, service- 
record, and other data about chaplains, 1804- 
1945 (9 ft.), constitutes a historical collection 
maintained by Chaplain William W. Edel, USN; 


80 



Records of World War n, Pan 1 


Record Group 24 


it is arranged in pan by name of chaplain and in 
pan by subject. Included are published unit 
histories for such varied Navy commands as the 
aircraft carrier USS Block Island , battleships 
USS Alabama and USS Maryland , light cruiser 
USS Cleveland . Marine Aircraft Group 61, and 
several naval construction battalions. 

n.218 Records of the Special Services 
Division of the Welfare Activity consist of 
general records of the Physical Fitness Sec¬ 
tion, 1942-46 (34 ft.), arranged for the most pan 
according to the ATM’s alpha-numeric classifica¬ 
tion scheme, and general records of the Recre¬ 
ational Services Section, 1943-46 (30 ft.), 
arranged according to a subject-numeric classifi¬ 
cation scheme from 1 (American Red Cross) 
through 65 (Women’s Reserve Division). The 
former documents the personnel and admin¬ 
istrative aspects of the Navy's physical fitness 
program, but includes naval publications on 
conditioning programs and photographs of 
wounded sailors undergoing physical rehabilita¬ 
tion. The latter series especially relates to recre¬ 
ational activities of the USO pertaining to the 
Navy, but also includes information on the 
Armed Forces Radio Service; scripts of "Soldier 
Shows" for radio and theatrical productions; 
motion pictures; and donations of such items as 
athletic equipment, playing cards, and cigarettes. 

11.219 Records of Navy training establish¬ 
ments are scattered among NARA's regional 
archives. Personnel and administrative records of 
the "V-12" and Naval Reserve Officers Training 
Corps programs conducted at Yale University, 
New Haven, CT, 1941-45 (1 ft.), and Dartmouth 
College, Hanover, NH, 1942-46 (14 ft.), are in 
the custody of the National Archives-New 
England Region in Waltham, MA. Similar 
records for Northwestern University, Evanston, 
IL, 1941-45 (44 ft.), can be found in the Nation¬ 
al Archives-Great Lakes Region in Chicago, IL. 
Records of the Indoctrination School, Fort 
Schuyler, NY, 1941-46 (26 ft.), including 
personnel data, are located in the National 
Archives-Northeast Region in Bayonne, NJ. 
General correspondence and muster cards for 


enlisted men of the Enlisted Naval Training 
School (Radio), Bedford Springs, PA, 1942-45 
(19 ft.), are in the National Archives-Mid Atlan¬ 
tic Region in Philadelphia, PA. Additional 
records of training activities are incorporated 
among the Records of Naval Districts and Shore 
Establishments, RG 181, which are also located 
in National Archives regional archives branches; 
some of these records are described in chapter 

m. 

11.220 Records of the Bureau's Casualty 
Section, documenting U.S. Navy personnel 
casualties during the war, are described in 
chapter IX and in National Archives Reference 
Information Paper 82, American Military Casu¬ 
alties and Burials. 

11.221 Personnel records for individuals 
who served in the Navy during World War II are 
in the custody of the National Personnel Records 
Center, St. Louis, MO. Marine Corps muster 
rolls and related personnel records are located 
among the Records of the United States Marine 
Corps, RG 127, described in this chapter. 
Supplementary wartime data concerning Navy 
and Marine Corps personnel is in the custody of 
the Operational Archives, Naval Historical 
Center, and of the History and Museums Divi¬ 
sion, Marine Corps Historical Center, both 
located at the Washington Navy Yard, Washing¬ 
ton, DC. The Operational Archives of the Naval 
Historical Center also maintain the records of the 
Bureau of Naval Personnel's Strength Statistics 
and Casualty Branches, and of the Bureau’s 
Assistant Chief for Women. 

RG 125 RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF 
THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GEN¬ 
ERAL (NAVY) 

11.222 The Office of the Judge Advocate 
General, established within the Navy Department 
in 1880, was responsible for all major phases of 
military, administrative, and general legal issues 
incident to the operation of the Naval Establish¬ 
ment during World War II. In military justice 
and administrative matters relating to personnel. 


81 






Record Group 125 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


the Office was subordinate to the Under Secre¬ 
tary of the Navy; in matters of taxation, settle¬ 
ment of claims, and legislation regarding non¬ 
personnel matters, the Office reported to the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Legal functions 
relating to patents, trademarks, and copyrights 
remained within the Office until October 1944, 
when these responsibilities were transferred to 
the Office of Research and Inventions. 

11.223 During the war, the Office of the 
Judge Advocate General included three principal 
divisions for Military Law, Administrative Law, 
and General Law. In 1944 a war crimes office 
was added for the investigation and prosecution 
of war crimes trials in those areas under Navy 
jurisdiction. The successive Judge Advocates 
General during the war were Rear Adms. Walter 
B. Woodson and Thomas L. Gatch. 

11.224 As in the case of its War Department 
counterpart, wartime records of the Office the 
Judge Advocate General mostly remain in the 
custody of that agency. Accessioned records are 
most pertinent for the interwar period, extending 
into 1942. For example, records of proceedings 
of general courts-martial, February 1866- 
November 1942 (860 ft.), consist of 459 vol¬ 
umes and approximately 2,100 looseleaf binders, 
arranged numerically (volumes and binders 
numbered 153 through 2835, with gaps, cases 
therein from 4224 through 79074), approximat¬ 
ing chronological order. Each dossier typically 
includes letters establishing and dissolving the 
court, charges and specifications, minutes of the 
court (including a verbatim transcript of pro¬ 
ceedings, documents introduced in evidence, the 
plea of defendant(s), the findings and sentence of 
the court, and associated correspondence and 
endorsements. Indexes for names and case 
numbers after June 1904, however, are not 
available. 

11.225 Closely related are records of pro¬ 
ceedings of courts of inquiry, boards of inves¬ 
tigation, and boards of inquest, May 1866- 
December 1942 (405 ft.), consisting of 97 
volumes and approximately 1,150 looseleaf 
binders arranged numerically by case number 


(4398 through 21330, with gaps). The types of 
records for each case usually duplicate the types 
of records for a court-martial, with the exception 
of a sentence. Both series include a small num¬ 
ber of cases heard after American entry into the 
war. Extending even later into the war are 
announcements of convictions by general 
courts-martial ("Promulgated Letters"), Janu- 
ary-December 1929, January 1931-December 
1943 (4 ft.), arranged chronologically, which 
provide the name of defendant, date and place of 
trial, charges, and sentence for each case in 
which a conviction occurred during the indicated 
periods. 

11.226 Records of proceedings of Naval 
and Marine Examining Boards and Naval and 
Marine Retiring Boards, ca. 1890-1941 (791 
ft.), generally arranged alphabetically by sur¬ 
name of officer, relate to the promotion, retire¬ 
ment, resignation, or death of Navy and Marine 
Corps officers. Records for examining boards (to 
consider officer promotions) typically include 
fitness reports, medical examinations, statements 
by the candidates, endorsements, and transmit¬ 
tals; records of retiring boards typically identify 
dates and times of examination, names and ranks 
of officers examined, orders for examinations, 
and findings. Records of the two types of boards 
are intermingled throughout the series. 

11.227 The records of courts-martial, courts 
of inquiry, and examining and retiring boards for 
naval personnel for most of World War II 
remain in the custody of the Navy's Office of 
the Judge Advocate General. The limited number 
of NARA-accessioned records for this period, 
moreover, fall under general privacy restrictions, 
and are consequently not generally available to 
research. Researchers should consult with the 
appropriate custodial unit for further informa¬ 
tion. 

11.228 Nonpersonnel records include re¬ 
cords relating to former naval properties, ca. 
1914-ca. 1941 (6 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
state, territory, and possession and thereunder 
alphabetically by name of property site, relate to 
the sale or disposition of naval real estate during 


82 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 125 


the interwar period. Closed NOd contracts and 
bonds with related correspondence, 1924-43 (4 

ft.), arranged by contract number, mostly relate 
to Navy contracts closed during the period 
August 1933-October 1936. Three series of 
patent case files and records relating to inter¬ 
ferences, ca. 1918-ca. 1942 (totaling ca. 101 
ft.), document patents for inventions and related 
interference proceedings, but no indexes to these 
materials are available. 

11.229 Some personnel-related records for 
World War II remain in the custody of the Navy 
Judge Advocate General, including the court of 
inquiry records into the loss of the heavy cruiser 
Indianapolis . August 1945. RG 125 materials 
relating to the Navy war crimes program, 1944- 
49, are described elsewhere in this guide. Many 
records relating to Navy administrative, proper¬ 
ty, and contractual legal issues are located 
among the General Records of the Department of 
the Navy, RG 80, described in several chapters 
of this guide. Records of the Judge Advocate 
General's counterpart in the War Department, 
located in RG 153, are described in this chapter. 

RG 143 RECORDS OF THE BUREAU OF 
SUPPLIES AND ACCOUNTS 
(NAVY) 

11.230 The Bureau of Supplies and Ac¬ 
counts, also known as BuSandA, which succeed¬ 
ed the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing in 
1892, was responsible for the supply, finance, 
and accounting functions of the U.S. naval 
establishment. Its prewar duties included the 
purchasing, storage, and distribution of supplies; 
the maintenance of supply depots and storehous¬ 
es; and the administration of payments for 
personnel and services and of money and prop¬ 
erty accounts of the Navy. Although the war 
greatly expanded the scope and complexity of 
activity, these functions remained unchanged 
after 1941, with two exceptions. Responsibility 
for procurement was thereafter shared with the 
technical bureaus (e.g., the Bureaus of Ships, 
Yards and Docks, Aeronautics) for such major 


items as ship construction and repair and aircraft 
production, and accounting activities were 
modernized and expanded to include those 
originally maintained by the technical bureaus. 
The Chief of the Bureau also served as the 
Paymaster General of the Navy. 

11.231 Among other specific wartime activi¬ 
ties, BuSandA negotiated contracts for the 
procurement of provisions, clothing, fuel, and 
lubricants; coordinated the assembly and supply 
of materials for advanced bases; maintained and 
inventoried needed stocks of supplies; supervised 
the transfer of naval property and household 
effects of naval personnel; administered funds to 
meet necessary expenses; prepared budgetary 
estimates for funds controlled by the Bureau; 
disbursed funds for the payment of naval person¬ 
nel, civilian personnel employed by the Bureau, 
and civilian contractors; participated in fulfilling 
requests for material aid under the terms of the 
Lend-Lease Act; and played a major role in the 
administration of Supply Corps personnel. 

11.232 By war's end BuSandA consisted of 
the Office of the Chief of the Bureau; several 
staff offices that directly assisted the Office of 
the Chief (one of which, the Material Redistribu¬ 
tion and Disposal Administration, was trans¬ 
ferred in 1945 to the Office of Procurement and 
Material under the Office of the Secretary of the 
Navy); a Director of Supply, whose principal 
components were the Requirements and Supply 
Services Groups; and a Fiscal Director, whose 
principal components included a Finance Group, 
an Accounting Group, and a Budget Division. In 
December 1941 the Bureau also included a War 
Plans Division, but by the summer of 1942 this 
office had been abolished and its remaining 
functions absorbed by the Administrative Plan¬ 
ning Division. Wartime Chiefs of the Bureau 
included Rear Adm. Raymond Spear (1939-June 
1942), Rear Adm. William B. Young (June 
1942-March 1945), and Rear (later Vice) Adm. 
William J. Carter (March 1945-October 1946). 

11.233 The volume and nature of the records 
preclude comprehensive descriptions. The 
Bureau's general correspondence file, July 


83 



Record Group 143 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


1925-January 1942 (2,075 ft.), arranged numer¬ 
ically according to the NFM classification 
scheme and thereunder chronologically, consti¬ 
tutes a useful source of information on financial 
and logistical conditions in the U.S. Navy at the 
beginning of the war. File JJ7-3/L4, Edition 17, 
for example, details fuel oil requirements and 
consumption, October 1940-June 1941; fileLl-1 
(Act. 7-1-22), Edition 53, documents Navy 
expenditures as of June 1941. The files provide 
extensive financial data for individual bases and 
ships. Those within classifications 
L10-5(1)/NY10 and LL/ND 14, for example, 
consist of financial accounts for Pearl Harbor, 
while classification JJ56-1/NY10 furnishes lists 
of provisions contracted for Pearl Harbor with 
civilian businesses on Oahu. Classification LI0-5 
also includes expense accounts for individual 
warships, including battleship USS Arizona . 
September 1935-June 1939 (file L10-5(1)/BB39, 
Edition 9), and aircraft carrier USS Yorktown . 
June 1936-June 1941 (fileL10-5(l)/CV5, Edition 
1). 

11.234 Supplementing this series is the 
formerly confidential correspondence file, 
1927-42 (15 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
subject, which includes annual reports of the 
U.S. Fleet through 1941; budget estimates for 
the period 1935-41; data on fuel stocks and 
transportation, March 1939-April 1942; and 
authorization orders for the shipment of specific 
items of equipment, August 1941-August 1943. 

11.235 Also significant are the Bureau's war 
plans, 1918-42 (24 ft.), arranged by subject into 
section numbers, and thereunder either numeri¬ 
cally according to the NFM or by subject. Sec¬ 
tion 1C specifically concerns logistical aspects of 
war plans, 1924-42, including estimates of 
needed supplies for advance bases in Great 
Britain, November 1941, and for U.S. forces in 
Australia, February 1942. Other files provide 
estimates of needed stocks of rubber (section II), 
fuel (section IP), and coal and petroleum (sec¬ 
tion 4B). Regularly issued "statistical summaries 
of progress" detail Navy procurement, construc¬ 
tion, and recruitment during the period 1940-42 


(sections 10A, 10B). Section 1R comprises a 
lecture on Navy Department supply planning in 
relation to war plans. 

11.236 General correspondence of the War 
Plans Division, 1940-42 (4 ft.), arranged alpha¬ 
betically by subject, complements the preceding 
series with data on the estimated requirements 
and available stocks of critical raw materials and 
finished products. Normal use data tables and 
related papers, 1935-42 (20 ft.), arranged by 
naval districts and by classes of materials, 
compute the average supply needs for types of 
ships and numbers of men over specified periods 
(e.g., 30 days, 60 days); the data is particularly 
relevant in relation to estimated consumption 
rates of cigarettes, candy bars, and chewing 
gum. 

11.237 Formerly security-classified corre¬ 
spondence of Logistics Planning Branch 
relating to procurement and transportation of 
supplies, 1943-44 (10 ft.), arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by subject or by codename, provides 
considerable data on the storage and shipment of 
supplies, although this information is not corre¬ 
lated to specific operations. Formerly security- 
classified correspondence relating to advanced 
bases, 1942-45 (6 ft.), arranged alphabetically 
by codename of base or by subject, also furnish¬ 
es data on the assembly of personnel and ma¬ 
teriel for advanced bases in the Pacific theater, 
but again without reference to specific opera¬ 
tions. 

11.238 Statistical reports of the Controlled 
Material Branch of the Stock Division relating 
to procurement allotments, 1943-46 (5 ft.), 
arranged by naval district or base and thereunder 
chronologically, consist only of allotment ledger 
books. General correspondence of the Storage 
Division, 1939-43 (8 ft.), arranged by naval 
district and thereunder chronologically by shore 
establishment, concerns procedures and problems 
in the handling and storage of supplies. 

11.239 Most of the Bureau of Supplies and 
Accounts' World War II records were recently 
accessioned by the National Archives, but have 
not yet been arranged, described, or reviewed 


84 




Records of World War II, Part 1 

for declassification. These records include the 
secret, confidential, and unclassified general 
correspondence files of the Bureau, 1942-45; 
commissary and clothing research project files 
for the World War II period; restricted general 
subject files of the Assistant Chief of Transpor¬ 
tation, 1943-51; correspondence and source 
material for BuSandA manuals and other publi¬ 
cations; historical studies and miscellaneous 
materials concerning the history of the Bureau 
during World War II; and naval logistics and 
supply studies. At the time of the compilation of 
this guide, the date of completion of archival 
arrangement, description, and declassification of 
these series could not be estimated. Researchers 
should direct inquiries to the appropriate custodi¬ 
al branch for further information. 

11.240 Additional records regarding Navy 
procurement during World War II will be found 
among the Records of the Bureau of Ships, RG 
19, and the Records of the Bureau of Yards and 
Docks, RG 71, described in chapter IV, and the 
Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establish¬ 
ments, RG 181, described in chapter V. Related 
records are located among the General Records 
of the Department of the Navy, RG 80, de¬ 
scribed in chapter IX. 

RG 127 RECORDS OF THE UNITED 
STATES MARINE CORPS 

11.241 The U.S. Marine Corps was created 
by an act of Congress on July 11, 1798. Al¬ 
though an integral part of the naval establish¬ 
ment, the Marine Corps has always functioned 
as a specialized amphibious force capable of 
independent operation. Naval regulations stipu¬ 
lated the corps' specific duties as the garrisoning 
and defense of navy yards and stations in the 
continental United States and overseas, the 
defense of the Panama Canal Zone, the garrison¬ 
ing of U.S. seacoast defenses, and the provision 
of detachments for service on board U.S. naval 
vessels. By World War II the Corps represented 
a mobile ground- and air-combat force that could 


Record Group 143 

be deployed rapidly to any region to protect 
American interests. 

11.243 During the war, personnel and 
administrative matters pertaining to the corps 
were handled by the headquarters organization in 
Washington, DC, under the direction of the 
Commandant of the Marine Corps. When war 
came, Marine Corps Headquarters consisted of 
six staff divisions (Plans and Policies, Personnel, 
Public Relations, Aviation, Reserve, and Re¬ 
cruiting), together with separate departments for 
Adjutant and Inspector, Quartermaster, and 
Paymaster. Of the staff divisions, Plans and 
Policies served as a general staff and exercised 
control over the formulation of Marine Corps 
policy and the development of plans for person¬ 
nel, intelligence, operations, supply, equipment, 
and training. In May 1943 the Personnel Divi¬ 
sion was elevated to department status and 
absorbed the functions of the Adjutant and 
Inspector's Department, which was abolished, 
and incorporated the Reserve and Recruiting 
Divisions. In July 1943 other administrative 
functions were combined under the newly estab¬ 
lished Administrative Division. Throughout the 
war Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, also 
maintained responsibility for training facilities, 
air stations, bases and barracks, supply depots, 
and procurement districts within the continental 
United States. 

11.243 The operational arm of the Marine 
Corps was the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), under 
the general command of Navy commanders 
responsible for the area of operations, but under 
the tactical control of the senior Marine Corps 
officer present. In December 1941 the FMF 
numbered two divisions, two aircraft wings, and 
several defense battalions, in addition to ship¬ 
board detachments. By the end of the war the 
FMF included two amphibious corps with six 
divisions, five aircraft wings, and numerous 
support, training, and supply units. Administra¬ 
tive and supply needs of the FMF were met by 
the Marine Administrative Command, Fifth 
Amphibious Corps, succeeded in September 


85 


Record Group 127 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


1944 by Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, 
Pacific. 

11.244 Most Marine Corps records pertain¬ 
ing to World War II remained in Marine Corps 
custody until very recently, when they were 
transferred to the National Archives. The largest 
collection consists of the Office of the Com¬ 
mandant general correspondence file, January 
1939-June 1950 (ca. 738 ft.). These records are 
arranged according to a numeric-subject filing 
scheme (the "Ells-Dran Filing System") that 
combines major and secondary subject classifica¬ 
tion with alphabetical arrangement. The records 
principally concern administrative and personnel 
issues, including requisitions, recruitment, skills 
classification, promotions, and the storage and 
disposal of property. Much of the material 
pertains to the 1946-50 period. 

11.245 For the World War II period, classi¬ 
fication 1935 contains Marine Corps organiza¬ 
tional data; classification 1945 pertains to trans¬ 
fers of individual officers and enlisted men to 
specific assignments. Extensive data on determi¬ 
nations of "killed in action" and "missing in 
action" status for individual Marine Corps 
casualties can be found in classification 1435-45; 
some related statistical data is located in 1435- 
55, and documentation of burials in 1610-45. 
Classification 1365 includes extensive data 
regarding radio and radar equipment used by the 
Marine Corps during the war; for example, file 
1365-150-20-20 includes information regarding 
the performance of radio equipment under jungle 
conditions. Classification 1540 includes informa¬ 
tion on amphibious training; annual inspections 
of Marine Corps camps, barracks, and other 
facilities are located in file 2295-10; and file 
2445/110 details assignments of Marine person¬ 
nel on board individual Navy warships. Within 
classification 1535-75, which deals with the 
general topic of recruiting, is information con¬ 
cerning the recruitment of personnel with spe¬ 
cialized skills in engineering, electronics, public 
relations (e.g., combat photographers) and 
communications (including the recruitment of 
Navajos for encoding voice communications). 


11.246 Included in the series, however, are 
a number of records that directly relate to mili¬ 
tary operations. Classification 1975 includes 
reports on the state of readiness of individual 
Marine units prior to commitment overseas; 
classification 2515 documents Marine mobiliza¬ 
tion plans under the various "color" war plans 
designated by the War Department. File 2515-15 
(1944-47) includes an interrogation of a captured 
Japanese kamikaze pilot, October 1945; file 
2295-80 contains a summary report of combat 
experiences of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion 
on Guadalcanal, prepared by the battalion com¬ 
mander. A postwar account of the operations and 
surrender of the 4th Marine Regiment in the 
Philippines, December 1941-May 1942, can be 
found in file 2515-10 (1944-47). 

11.247 Wartime operations of the Marine 
Corps are also documented in story flies, press 
releases, and other publications of the Public 
Information Division, 1941-46 (30 ft.). Ar¬ 
ranged into officer and enlisted man correspon¬ 
dents, thereunder alphabetically by last name of 
correspondent, the press releases largely consti¬ 
tute citations of heroism for individual Marine 
Corps personnel and units. At the end of the 
series is a chronologically arranged collection of 
Navy Department press releases regarding the 
Marine Corps, October 1941-December 1946. A 
separate collection of military personnel re¬ 
cords, Public Information Division, 1941-46 (9 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by last name, docu¬ 
ments personnel serving in this capacity during 
the war. 

11.248 In addition, the Adjutant and Inspec¬ 
tor Department's muster rolls, January 1798- 
December 1945, number 1,285 volumes (353 
ft.); of this total, 680 volumes (roughly 187 ft.) 
relate to the period September 1939-December 
1945. From September 1939 through April 1940 
the muster rolls represent consolidated monthly 
returns for all units; thereafter monthly muster 
rolls are divided between posts and stations, 
arranged alphabetically by name, and FMF 
units, arranged by type of unit and thereunder 
numerically by unit designation. A list of the 


86 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 127 


units covered appears at the beginning of each 
volume. 

11.249 Each unit muster roll generally 
contains the names of officers and enlisted men 
(arranged by rank), and remarks regarding 
transfers, promotions, discharges, and specialist 
grade or status. Each muster roll usually con¬ 
cludes with a recapitulation sheet that summariz¬ 
es the unit's numerical strength and changes for 
the month. For technical and specialized units 
(e.g., tank battalions, motor transport units, 
medical, engineer, and headquarters companies), 
rosters extend through the company level; for 
Marine tinfantry regiments, musters extend 
through the battalion level, with company as¬ 
signments noted in the "remarks" column. Some 
data on individual casualties is included. 

11.250 Additional personnel data for those 
Marines in service at the time of Pearl Harbor 
can be found in the alphabetical card list of 
Marine Corps officers and Marine Corps 
reserve officers, n.d (8 ft.), arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by the initial one to four letters of sur¬ 
name, and thereunder alphabetically by the initial 
four or five letters of given name, and the 
alphabetical card list of enlisted men of the 
Marine Corps, 1798-1941 (367 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by initial two to four letters of 
surname and thereunder alphabetically by given 
name. The cards provide the Marine Corps 
service number and the date and place of enlist¬ 
ment or entry into the service for each individu¬ 
al. For the 1939-41 period, the cards are gener¬ 
ally annotated to indicate the length or status of 
enlistment (e.g., "For the Duration of the Na¬ 
tional Emergency"), including those in the 
reserves. 

11.251 Information regarding Marines who 
were killed in action or who otherwise died, 
December 1941-October 1942, can be found in 
Volume I (1920-42) of death registers of enlist¬ 
ed men, 1868-1942, 2 vols. (1 ft.), arranged in 
three time periods, thereunder alphabetically by 
initial letter of surname and generally thereunder 
chronologically by date of death. Each entry 
contains the name of the deceased, rank, Marine 


Corps service number, date of enlistment, date 
and place of death, unit, and cause of death. 

11.252 Records pertaining to Marine 
Corps strength and casualties, 1775-1971 (15 
ft.), furnish aggregate data on these topics in 
three subseries. The strength subseries, arranged 
by chronological periods and thereunder by 
subject, contains scattered data for branch and 
overall strength (e.g., "Aviation Personnel, 
1930-47," "Attrition Reports, 1935-48"). The 
casualties subseries, arranged by chronological 
period, comprises statistical summaries of war¬ 
time casualties by unit and geographic area. A 
miscellaneous subseries, arranged by subject, 
includes rosters of Marine burials in overseas 
cemeteries. 

11.253 For information regarding prewar 
and early wartime Marine Corps equipment, 
uniforms, and supplies, the Quartermaster 
Department's general correspondence, 1927-42 
(99 ft.), constitutes a useful source. The corre¬ 
spondence is arranged in four chronological 
subseries, 1927-39 (ca. 58 ft.), 1940 (9.5 ft.), 
1941 (13 ft.), and 1942 (19 ft.), each of which 
is thereunder arranged according to the Quarter¬ 
master Department's numeric-subject filing 
scheme (nos. 100-307). Closely related subjects 
are filed under several headings; e.g., files 144 
(Clothing), 271 (Uniforms), and 249 (Specifica¬ 
tions). Requisitions for weapons and ammunition 
are located under file 215, while authorized 
tables of equipment can be found in file 257. 
Insignia and medals are described in files 190 
and 208, respectively. File 132 contains exten¬ 
sive documentation of construction work on 
Marine Corps installations in the continental 
U.S. and overseas. 

11.254 Personnel records for individuals 
who served in the Marine Corps are in the 
custody of the National Personnel Records 
Center, St. Louis, MO. Additional Marine Corps 
personnel records are described in chapter XII 
and are included among the records of the 
Bureau of Naval Personnel, RG 24, described in 
this chapter. Additional Marine Corps records in 
National Archives custody are described in 


87 


Record Group 127 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


chapters X and XII. A number of Fleet Marine 
Force files for the period 1942-55 are included 
among the records of Naval Operating Forces, 
RG 313, described in chapter IX. Original 
records still in Marine Corps custody are also 
identified in those chapters. 

RELATED RECORDS 

11.255 The National Personnel Records 
Center (NPRC), located in St. Louis, MO, 
maintains the largest collection of records of 
American military personnel who served after 
1912. Approximately 80 percent of individual 
personnel and medical records for Army and 
Army Air Forces personnel separated from 
service between November 1912 and January 
1960 were lost in a fire at the NPRC in July 
1973. Organization, unit, and command type 
reports of personnel actions, however, serve as 
auxiliary sources of information in reconstructing 
service data for individuals. Among the most 
significant of these organization, unit, and 
command type reports of personnel actions are 
morning reports, noting numerical strength and 
transactions involving individual personnel for 
specific units; personnel rosters; sick reports; 
casualty lists; registers of enlistment; and daily 
reports of changes. Individual personnel and 
medical records for Navy and Marine Corps 
personnel for the World War II period were not 
affected by the fire. 

11.256 Privacy restrictions limit the use of 
personnel records to veterans and their immedi¬ 
ate families. A "Directory of Military Personnel 


and Related Records," prepared by the NPRC in 
1989, provides additional information concerning 
personnel records maintained at that facility. 

11.257 Additional records directly related to 
those described in this chapter have already been 
identified in the record unit descriptions. Many 
records relating to the administration and con¬ 
tractual work of the Navy Department are 
located among Records of the Bureau of Ships, 
RG 19, and Records of the Bureau of Yards and 
Docks, RG 71, described in chapter IV; Records 
of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, RG 
181, described in chapter V; and General Re¬ 
cords of the Department of the Navy, RG 80, 
described in chapter IX. 

11.258 Additional sources of personnel 
information have been described recently in 
several NARA reference information papers, 
which have been cited in this chapter. Many 
pertinent records are also located among the 
Records of Headquarters, Army Service Forces, 
RG 160, particularly those described in chapters 
III and IV. 

11.259 Additional records relating to U.S. 
Navy and Marine Corps administrative and 
personnel matters, including budgetary data, can 
be found in the Operational Archives, Naval 
Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, 
Washington, DC. Several administrative histories 
of the activities and component organizations of 
the Bureau of Personnel and the Bureau of 
Supplies and Accounts are held by the Navy 
Department Library at the Naval Historical 
Center. 


88 


Ill: MOBILIZATION AND TRAINING 


INTRODUCTION 

III-1 This chapter describes records per¬ 
taining to the mobilization and training of U.S. 
military and naval personnel and units during the 
interwar and World War II periods. The records 
document the induction, organization, and 
training of personnel in the armed forces, in¬ 
cluding the education and training of officers at 
the military and naval academies and other 
educational institutions. The records also provide 
extensive information on the nature and effec¬ 
tiveness of U.S. Army Ground Forces' tactical 
doctrine, organization, armament, and equipment 
throughout the 1920-45 period. Included within 
this material are numerous observations on 
"lessons learned" in practical combat experienc¬ 
es. 

111.2 Records of training activities of the 
U.S. Army Air Forces are not described here, 
but are incorporated with related records de¬ 
scribed in chapter X. As the U.S. Navy allocated 
training responsibilities to the Bureau of Naval 
Personnel, the most relevant records are de¬ 
scribed with others of that Bureau in chapter II; 
some materials have been included in this chap¬ 
ter. 

111.3 The records described here empha¬ 
size collective rather than individual participation 
in the processes of mobilization and training. 
The continual nature of these activities is reflect¬ 
ed in the integration of prewar and wartime 
records. The mobilization of women and Afri¬ 
can-Americans into military and naval service is 
included here, but is more fully described in 
chapter II. 

111.4 Many pertinent records of military 
and naval educational institutions remain in their 
custody; many records concerning the Selective 
Service System and the National Guard remain 
in State, municipal, or local custody. Where 
possible, the locations of the former and exam¬ 
ples of locations of the latter have been provid¬ 


ed. Discussions of related records have conse¬ 
quently been directly appended to record item 
descriptions, rather than separately treated at the 
end of the chapter. 

111.5 The level of description in this 
chapter extends to the series and subseries, but 
the volume of material precludes detailed de¬ 
scriptions for all but selected series. 

RG 147 RECORDS OF THE SELECTIVE 
SERVICE SYSTEM, 1940- 

111.6 Passage of the Selective Training and 
Service Act of 1940, approved by President 
Roosevelt on September 16, 1940, reflected the 
growing anticipation of American military 
involvement in the European conflict. On the 
same day that Roosevelt signed the nation's first 
peacetime conscription law, he also issued a 
proclamation for the registration of all male 
citizens within the continental United States 
between the ages of 21 and 35 (inclusive) for 
military service. The President's Executive order 
of September 23, 1940, established the Selective 
Service System to provide and administer an 
orderly, just, and democratic method of drafting 
men for military service. Supplementary legisla¬ 
tion throughout 1941 and after Pearl Harbor 
expanded the application of conscription to men 
between the ages of 18 and 45, added the Navy 
and Marine Corps to reliance upon conscription, 
revised and redefined the categories of registrant 
classification, and extended the duration of 
service for the duration of the war and six 
months thereafter. 

111.7 The Director of Selective Service, 
responsible directly to the President, was autho¬ 
rized to prescribe amendments to Selective 
Service regulations, issue directives, appoint 
employees, delegate his functions and powers, 
and obligate appropriated funds. Each State 
Governor accepted responsibility for administer¬ 
ing the Selective Service law in his State. A 


89 


Record Group 147 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


National Headquarters was established in Wash¬ 
ington, DC, and State headquarters (funded by 
the Federal Government) installed in each State, 
with additional headquarters for the District of 
Columbia, New York City, the Virgin Islands, 
and the Territories of Alaska, Hawaii, and 
Puerto Rico later established. The Governor of 
each State appointed a State Director of Selective 
Service, usually the Adjutant General of the 
State but in some cases a civilian or Army 
officer. State headquarters exercised administra¬ 
tive supervision of the local boards but made no 
decisions regarding individual registrants. 

111.8 Below the State headquarters were 
6,443 local draft boards, one for each county 
and one for each unit of 30,000 population 
within cities. Each board consisted of three or 
more civilians nominated by the State Governor 
and appointed by the President. These boards 
assumed responsibility for registering, classify¬ 
ing, and exempting or deferring individuals 
under the Selective Service Act. Associated with 
each board was at least one examining physician 
who, like the board members, served without 
compensation. 

111.9 In addition to the local boards, the 
Selective Service System employed 279 appeal 
boards to review appeals by individual regis¬ 
trants. The five members of each appeal board 
were also nominated by the State Governor and 
appointed by the President; each member of the 
board generally represented the interests of one 
segment of society (e.g., labor, industry, medi¬ 
cine, the legal profession, and agriculture). As 
with the local boards, paid clerical assistance 
was provided. Further appeal might be made to 
the President for dependency cases. 

III. 10 Selection for service initially oc¬ 
curred through national lotteries conducted in 
Washington, DC, on October 29, 1940; July 17, 
1941; and March 17, 1942. Thereafter regis¬ 
trants were selected by their local boards accord¬ 
ing to their dates of birth. Over 50 million 
American men registered with the Selective 
Service System during the 1940-47 period, of 


whom over 10 million were inducted into the 
armed forces. 

III. 11 Clarence A. Dykstra served as 
Director of Selective Service from September 
1940 through July 1941. Brig. Gen. Lewis B. 
Hershey succeeded Dykstra on July 31, 1941 and 
directed Selective Service thereafter. For a 
period of one year - December 5, 1942 to 
December 5, 1943 - the Selective Service System 
was placed under the jurisdiction of the War 
Manpower Commission. It then returned to its 
former status as an independent agency. The 
System ceased operations on March 31, 1947, 
when the enabling legislation expired, but was 
reconstituted on June 24, 1948, and continues to 
function to the present, although its authority to 
induct registrants expired July 1, 1973. 

III. 12 During and after World War II the 
Selective Service System published extensive 
reports and documentation of its wartime activi¬ 
ties. From 1942 through 1945, these included 
periodic publications of the Director's Annual 
Reports to the President, Local Board Memoran¬ 
da, Memoranda and Advisories to State Direc¬ 
tors, Regulations, Bulletins, and Statistics (in¬ 
cluding detailed reports of classification for each 
state). From 1947 through 1955 the Selective 
Service published a series of 18 special mono¬ 
graphs on various aspects of its wartime opera¬ 
tions; usually a monograph included separate 
volumes of text and appendixes. The topics 
covered included backgrounds of selective 
service; the classification process; categories of 
deferment (e.g., agricultural, industrial, and 
dependency, each the subject of a separate 
study); reemployment; physical examinations; 
and problems encountered. Copies of the war¬ 
time publications and postwar special mono¬ 
graphs are available through the government 
documents sections of major libraries. 

III. 13 The World War II records of the 
Selective Service System in NARA custody 
consist largely of records of the National Head¬ 
quarters but include some field records. These 
materials total approximately 1,655 feet of 
textual records and over 800 rolls of microfilm, 


90 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 147 


arranged in over 100 series. The most detailed 
descriptions of these records are provided in 
National Archives Preliminary Inventory (PI) No. 
27, Records of the Selective Service System, 
1940-47 (Washington, DC, 1951). 

III. 14 Selective Service records do not 
provide personnel data for all individuals regis¬ 
tered but only for some categories (e.g., consci¬ 
entious objectors) exempted from service. Re¬ 
cord item descriptions in this chapter are princi¬ 
pally limited to subgroups; only selected series 
are individually described. Access to these 
materials is subject to standard NARA privacy 
restrictions. 

National Headquarters 

III. 15 The National Headquarters' corre¬ 
spondence and related records, including corre¬ 
spondence of subordinate office divisions, con¬ 
stitutes the most significant subgroup of Selective 
Service records, totaling 762 ft. of materials 
organized into 13 series. 

III. 16 The principal series comprises the 
central files, 1940-47 (656 ft.), arranged chro¬ 
nologically by year; each year is thereunder 
arranged in two subject files, the first arranged 
alphabetically by name of individual or subject 
and the second according to a decimal classifica¬ 
tion scheme. One decimal classification scheme 
applied only to 1940 correspondence; the princi¬ 
pal classification scheme covered the years 1941- 
47. Lists of the subjects and corresponding 
decimal classifications for both schemes are 
provided as an appendix in PI No. 27. 

III. 17 Correspondence includes that ex¬ 
changed between the National Headquarters and 
other Government agencies (particularly the War 
Department), state headquarters, and individuals. 
Numerous forms and questionnaires used in 
determining classification status are scattered 
throughout the series. Appended to the 1944 
decimal arrangement is a collection of "state 
materials," arranged alphabetically by State, 
followed by a chronologically arranged collec¬ 
tion of "archives," key directives, memoran¬ 


dums, reports, and statistical tables issued by the 
National Headquarters during 1944. Following 
the decimal arrangement for 1945 is a collection 
of "fan mail," correspondence criticizing the 
inequities of the draft; this collection comple¬ 
ments several series of correspondence described 
later in this section. Many records pertaining to 
conscientious objectors were apparently with¬ 
drawn from the central files for inclusion in a 
separate subgroup, which of records is described 
later in this section. 

III. 18 The central files incorporate a large 
number of cross-reference sheets that serve as an 
index to the series' contents. Particularly preva¬ 
lent in the alphabetical name and subject file for 
each year, the cross-reference sheets identify the 
location of the principal file in either the name 
or decimal arrangement; thus, Congressman 
Joseph H. Ball's criticism of a local board in 
Minnesota in 1941 is cross-referenced under 
"Ball, Joseph H." in the name file but filed 
under classification 133, "Minnesota" in the 
decimal arrangement for 1941. 

111.19 For the 1941-45 period, the general 
determination of draft status classifications and 
data concerning registrant classification is locat¬ 
ed under file classification 302. Deferments are 
generally described under classification 320, 
with additional files for such specific deferment 
categories as occupational (classifications 
321-323), dependency (330-334), conscientious 
objectors (345), and unfit for service (346). The 
most extensive and comprehensive statistical data 
regarding classification, civilian occupations, and 
induction can be found in file classification 103, 
with additional occupational statistics in classifi¬ 
cation 304. Studies and statistical data prepared 
by the War Manpower Commission on the same 
subjects are located in file 002.50-15. Classifica¬ 
tion 170 documents race relations in the registra¬ 
tion and classification of African- Americans for 
service. 

111.20 Central activities of the National 
Headquarters are reflected in its weekly digests 
of significant memorandums (classification 034) 
and records of conferences of the National 


91 



Record Group 147 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Headquarters staff and of State directors (102). 
Documentation of the medical aspects of selec¬ 
tive service include the weekly reports of the 
National Headquarters Medical Division (classi¬ 
fication 600.1 before July 1943, 601 thereafter), 
neuropsychiatric surveys of registrants (622), 
and data concerning the induction of medical 
personnel (603). 

111.21 The information for 1940 documents 
the establishment of the initial classification of 
registrants into such categories as Class I-A 
(available for general service), in decimal classi¬ 
fication 311.1; Class II (occupational defer¬ 
ments), 321; Class III (dependency deferments), 
322; Class IV-E (conscientious objectors), 
323.5; and Class IV-F (unfit for service), 323.6. 
The 1940 classification and induction of African- 
Americans into military service is located in 
decimal files 070 and 105; equivalent data for 
Native Americans can be found in file classifica¬ 
tion 105.1. 

111.22 Beyond the cross-reference sheets 
incorporated within the central files, there is 
only a card index to diplomatic correspon¬ 
dence, 1940-47 (16 ft.), arranged alphabetically 
by name of correspondent, pertaining only to the 
registration and exemption of members of for¬ 
eign diplomatic services. 

111.23 Three series of protest files, anony¬ 
mous letters, and "fan mail," collectively 
covering the period 1940-44 (totaling 13 ft.) and 
arranged either alphabetically by name of corre¬ 
spondent or chronologically, consist of critical 
correspondence received by the Selective Service 
regarding inequities of the draft. Additional "fan 
mail" for 1945 has been incorporated within the 
central files, at the end of the 1945 decimal files. 
Correspondence relating to personnel, 1940-47 
(39 ft.), concerns the appointment of civilian and 
military personnel in the Selective Service 
System. This series is divided into two subseries. 
The first is a general section arranged according 
to certifying officers, procurement and disburs¬ 
ing officers, and local boards (the last arranged 
alphabetically by State); the second pertains to 
civilian personnel in field offices, arranged 


alphabetically by State. Except for the "local 
boards" files in the first subseries, the series 
details the recommendation and appointment of 
individuals to serve with the Selective Service 
System; the "local boards" files simply document 
the establishment of specific local boards within 
the States. 

111.24 General correspondence of the 
Appointments and Personnel Division, 1941-47 

(14 ft.), is arranged according to a numeric 
classification scheme and thereunder chronologi¬ 
cally. Classification 165.1 provides a useful 
digest of extracts from the Congressional Record 
regarding legislation pertinent to selective ser¬ 
vice; file 170.1 consists of a medical assessment 
of registrants based on their physical examina¬ 
tions, November 1941. An index to the classifi¬ 
cation scheme is located at the beginning of the 
series. There are also personnel folders for 
paid employees at National Headquarters, 
1940-47 (44 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
employee name, containing records of appoint¬ 
ment, oath, promotion, efficiency rating, resig¬ 
nation, and related materials. 

Lotteries 

111.25 A second subgroup of records per¬ 
tains to the national lotteries conducted October 
29-30, 1940; July 17, 1941; and March 17, 
1942, to determine which registrants would be 
called up. For each of these lotteries, available 
records include master lists or sheets containing 
the original numbered slips of those numbers 
drawn, and microfilm copies of these items 
accompanied by a picture of a watch depicting 
the exact time of drawing. The textual volume of 
these records amounts to less than one foot, with 
11 rolls of accompanying 35mm or 16mm 
microfilm. 

Conscientious Objectors 

111.26 An extensive subgroup of records 
relates to conscientious objectors. Those men so 
classified (a total of roughly 10,000 during the 


92 




Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 147 


war) were either assigned noncombatant service 
within the Army or were detailed to work camps 
to perform labor and other duties essential to the 
war effort. The majority of conscientious objec¬ 
tors served in the latter. 

111.27 The principal series consists of case 
flies for conscientious objectors sent to camps, 
1940-47 (411 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
State and thereunder alphabetically by name of 
registrapt. A personnel folder for each individual 
includes a report of physical examination, stan¬ 
dard forms specifying his status and work as¬ 
signment, records of transfer from one camp to 
another, correspondence with religious organiza¬ 
tions, and related records concerning changes of 
status or assignment. Each folder is stamped 
"discharged" or "delinquent." 

111.28 Access to this series is facilitated by 
the master index to conscientious objectors 
sent to camps, 1941-47 (23 ft.), an alphabetical¬ 
ly arranged card index that identifies each objec¬ 
tor according to name, State, board, order 
number, date and classification, church, age, and 
dates assigned and discharged from camp. A 
microfilm copy of this index is reproduced as 
National Archives Microfilm Publication T996 (4 
rolls). A separate collection of locator cards for 
conscientious objectors sent to camps, 1941-47 
(11 ft.), arranged roughly in alphabetical order, 
provides some additional identifying information 
on individuals (e.g., personal descriptions, 
record of leave) but appears less comprehensive 
and less well arranged than the master index; the 
locator cards are also reproduced on microfilm 
as National Archives Microfilm Publication 
T1000 (9 rolls). 

111.29 Closely related are microfilm "cover 
sheets" for conscientious objectors who served 
in work camps, 1941-45 (282 16mm microfilm 
rolls, National Archives Microfilm Publication 
T931), arranged alphabetically by State and 
thereunder alphabetically by name of registrant. 
Each folder contains the standard forms and 
questionnaires relating to each objector's case. A 
microfilmed index to conscientious objector 
"cover sheets," 1941-45 (2 16mm rolls, National 


Archives Microfilm Publication T933), arranged 
alphabetically by name of objector, identifies the 
roll number and position on the roll for the 
"cover sheets" for each registrant. 

111.30 In accordance with privacy restric¬ 
tions noted earlier, none of the microfilm publi¬ 
cations are available for duplication. Access to, 
and use of, these materials is governed by these 
privacy restrictions. 

111.31 Several series of records concern 
other categories of conscientious objectors. Case 
files for conscientious objectors who withdrew 
their objection, 1940-47 (34 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by State and thereunder alphabeti¬ 
cally by name of individual, document regis¬ 
trants' original and change of status. Case files 
for conscientious objectors who did not receive 
notice to report for physical examination, 
1940-47 (23 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
name of individual, typically contain protests or 
explanations by the affected registrants and 
records of the actions taken by local boards and 
state and National Headquarters. A general 
index to conscientious objectors, 1941-47 (20 
ft.), arranged alphabetically, covers individuals 
in both the preceding series as well as those 
assigned to work camps. Although it is therefore 
most comprehensive for all categories of consci¬ 
entious objectors, the information provided on 
the index cards (name, order number, State, and 
local board) is much less than that furnished in 
the master index to objectors sent to camps. 

111.32 The conscientious objector general 
file, 1940-47 (84 ft.), consists of correspondence 
withdrawn from the National Headquarters' 
central files, described earlier in this section. 
The correspondence constitutes much of the 
former contents of decimal classifications 345 
(conscientious objectors), 345.1 (work camps), 
345.2 (Jehovah's Witnesses), 450 (work camp 
projects), and 451 (camp supplies). It is arranged 
by these classifications, thereunder by year or 
group of years, and thereunder alphabetically by 
State. As with the central files, cross-reference 
sheets are scattered throughout these materials, 
many of which refer to documents in the central 


93 


Record Group 147 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


files. Classification 450 includes some copies of 
camp newspapers, photographs, and reports 
providing medical, labor, and medical data for 
specific camps. Some material is unarranged. 

111.33 Completing the records of this sub¬ 
group are several series of systematically report¬ 
ed camp activities. These include monthly time 
and work reports, 1941-47 (24 ft.), arranged 
chronologically and thereunder alphabetically by 
State; monthly camp and personnel reports, 
July 1942-March 1947 (5 ft.), arranged chrono¬ 
logically and thereunder by supervising agencies 
(e.g., the Department of Agriculture); "sick and 
injury reports," 1941-46 (26 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by State, thereunder alphabetically 
by camp, and thereunder chronologically; and 
daily labor lists, September 1943-May 1946 (3 
ft.), arranged chronologically and thereunder 
alphabetically by name of individual. More 
specialized are individual record cards showing 
payments made to conscientious objectors 
assigned to agricultural projects, 1942-46 (4 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by surname of 
individual. 

Appeals and Amnesties 

111.34 A fourth subgroup, consisting entire¬ 
ly of accessioned microfilmed records, relates to 
appeals heard and amnesties granted by Presi¬ 
dential authority. Chief among these are case 
files for registrants appealing to the President, 
1940-47, reproduced on 225 rolls of 16mm 
microfilm (National Archives Microfilm Publica¬ 
tion T997) and arranged by case docket number 
(assigned in the order in which the appeals were 
received at National Headquarters). Each case 
file typically includes a docket sheet that records 
the basic actions taken by the local board and the 
board of appeal and the vote of the Presidential 
Appeal Board, a summary of pertinent facts in 
the case, a copy of the letter transmitting the 
case to the National Headquarters, and a copy of 
the formal decision rendered by the Presidential 
Appeal Board. A finding aid is the index to 
appeals to the President, 1940-47, reproduced 


on 12 rolls of 16mm microfilm (National Ar¬ 
chives Microfilm Publication T998) and arranged 
alphabetically by name of registrant. 

111.35 Docket books of the Presidential 
Appeal Board, 1940-47, reproduced on 5 rolls 
of 16mm microfilm (National Archives Micro¬ 
film Publication T1001), are also arranged by 
case number. The dockets simply record the 
name, order number, and local board of the 
appellant registrant, with a notation of his classi¬ 
fication before and after the appeal. 

111.36 Different in nature is the record of 
Amnesty Board cases, 1940-47, reproduced on 
4 rolls of 16mm microfilm (National Archives 
Microfilm Publication T999) and arranged 
alphabetically by registrant. These consist of 
papers contained in the "cover sheets" for indi¬ 
viduals who had violated Selective Service laws, 
not all of whom were conscientious objectors. 
The records were initially reviewed during the 
war, although the President's Amnesty Board 
was not constituted until 1946. 

Directives and Reports 

111.37 Directives issued by the National 
Headquarters comprise another subgroup of 
records. Most extensive among these are state 
office directives, 1940-47 (75 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by State and thereunder by num¬ 
bered and unnumbered series. Directives issued 
by the Director of Selective Service, 1940-47 
(6 ft.), are arranged by type of issuance and 
thereunder chronologically. Other records (total¬ 
ing less than 3 ft.) include Selective Service 
regulations, digests of significant memorandums 
and correspondence, memorandums and recom¬ 
mendations to all state directors, and local board 
memorandums. 

111.38 Reports issued by the National 
Headquarters provide extensive statistical data on 
the Selective Service's classification and exami¬ 
nation of the male population. The Selective 
Service System's four volumes of annual re¬ 
ports, 1940-47 (less than 1 ft.), summarize the 
activities and results of selective service, includ- 


94 




Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 147 


ing numerous statistical tables and charts and 
pertinent legislation and internal memorandums 
and directives. Accumulative illiteracy reports, 
1941 (7 ft.), arranged alphabetically by State and 
thereunder by county, consist of standard forms 
prepared by local boards that indicate the num¬ 
bers of local registrants classified as illiterate, as 
of July 15 and September 15, 1941. 

111.39 Periodic reports of physical exami¬ 
nations, 1942-46 (7 ft.), consist of 25 volumes 
of statistical data that focus on physical defects 
encountered among registrants; the series is 
arranged by volume number, but the data is 
presented on a State basis. Periodic reports: 
classification and population, 1941-46 (3 ft.), 
consist of 16 volumes of summary and detailed 
statistical reports and standard forms concerning 
the draft status classification of registrants across 
the country. The series is also arranged by 
volume number, but the data is most typically 
presented chronologically as cumulative progress 
reports. Information on the civilian backgrounds 
of registrants is found in eight volumes of 
summary and detailed statistical reports 
relating to occupation and reemployment of 
draft registrants, 1942-47 (2 ft.), arranged 
chronologically. 

111.40 An additional three series of reports 
(totaling 1 ft. of records) detail civilian employ¬ 
ment and turnover within the Selective Service 
System, 1942-46. 

111.41 The subgroup of miscellaneous 
National Headquarters records pertains to several 
subjects. Lists of occupationally deferred 
Federal employees, 1943-45 (33 ft.), arranged 
by agency in age groups (18-37 and 38 and 
older) and chronologically under agency; list of 
civilians deferred at Government request, 
1940-47 (20 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
registrant; and list of diplomatic exemptions, 
1940-47 (17 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
country and thereunder by individual name, all 
detail information on individuals deferred in 
these categories. An atlas of Selective Service 
local and appeal boards, 1946, illustrates the 
geographical jurisdictions of draft boards by 


States and larger cities. The National Headquar¬ 
ters publication "Methods for Preservation of 
Selective Service Records," 1944-45, is repro¬ 
duced on 2 rolls of 35mm microfilm (National 
Archives Microfilm Publication T1002); the text 
is arranged by subject. 

111.42 Monograph studies of the Selective 
Service System, 1945-53 (3 ft.), consist of 36 
volumes of postwar studies of various aspects 
and activities of American conscription during 
World War II. A master set of forms pre¬ 
scribed by the Director of Selective Service, 
1940-47 (9 ft.), provides examples of forms used 
by Selective Service. There is also a collection 
of pertinent newspaper clippings, 1940-44 (32 
ft.), organized into 1940-42 and 1943-44 subse¬ 
ries and thereunder arranged chronologically by 
state; many have been mounted in oversized 
volumes. 

Ill .43 Selective Service records also include 
some records of field offices. Most significant 
are records of registrants in the District of 
Columbia, 1940-44, reproduced on 249 rolls of 
16mm and 35mm microfilm (National Archives 
Microfilm Publications T994 and T995), repre¬ 
senting the records of Local Boards 10 and 19. 
For each local board, records include (1) regis¬ 
tration cards (showing the name, order number, 
serial number, and personal identifying data for 
each registrant), arranged for each board alpha¬ 
betically in two groups, those registered in 
Registrations 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, and those regis¬ 
tered in Registration 4; (2) classification records 
(showing the name, order number, serial num¬ 
ber, some identification data, and a record of 
board action for each registrant); and (3) "cover 
sheets" and their contents (providing personal 
data for each registrant). 

III.44 Additional field office records in¬ 
clude alphabetically arranged personnel folders 
for paid personnel, 1940-47 (63 ft.), of the 
Philadelphia Office of the Selective Service 
System; and Selective Service bulletins and 
circulars of the Massachusetts State Head¬ 
quarters, 1940-46 (1 ft.), divided between 
bulletins (1943-46) and circulars (1940-46), each 


95 


Record Group 147 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


arranged by year and thereunder chronologically 
by date of issuance. 

111.45 Also available are samples of minute 
books of local and appeal boards, 1940-47 (2 
ft.). These consist of daily form reports that 
identify the name and membership of the board, 
date of meeting, remarks, and (until 1943) a 
statistical summary of the day's totals of men 
registered and classified. Minute books are 
available for the following local boards: Arizo¬ 
na, Board No. 2 (Pima County); Massachusetts, 
Board No. 104 (Franklin County); Mississippi, 
Board No. 2 (Holmes County); New York, 
Board No. 123 (Bronx County); and Utah 
Appeal Board No. 2 (only for the period 1942- 
43). Except for this sample, minute books for 
local and appeal boards have been destroyed. 

Related Records 

111.46 Much useful information on the 
enactment and operation of selective service is 
located among the records of the Committee on 
Military Affairs (succeeded in 1946 by the 
Armed Services Committee), which are located 
among the Records of the U.S. House of Repre¬ 
sentatives, RG 233. Records relating to the 
operation of selective service in Puerto Rico can 
be found among the records of the Puerto Rico 
Department and the Antilles Department, Re¬ 
cords of U.S. Army Commands, 1942- , RG 
338, described in chapter V. 

111.47 A number of wartime Selective 
Service records remain in the custody of the 
Selective Service System. These records, in 
textual or microfilm form, include policy and 
general subject files of the National Head¬ 
quarters' Office of the National Director, 1940- 
47, and registration cards for individual regis¬ 
trants (particularly those for the Fourth Registra¬ 
tion Age Group, 1940-42) for the Maryland, 
Virginia, and West Virginia State Headquarters 
and the District of Columbia headquarters, 1940- 
45. The final disposition of these records has not 
been decided at the time of this writing, but 


these records may be accessioned by the Nation¬ 
al Archives in the near future. 

111.48 As Selective Service continued to 
operate after 1945, many wartime records of 
State headquarters and local boards were re¬ 
tained by those organizations. After some time, 
a number of these records were accessioned by 
State and county authorities as permanently 
valuable materials; other records were destroyed. 
Examples of available records include an agency 
history and headquarters records of the Kentucky 
State Headquarters, including lists of registrants 
and manpower and casualty statistical data, in 
the custody of the Kentucky Department for 
Libraries and Archives, Public Records Division, 
Frankfort; and records of Draft Board Nos. 1 
and 2, Polk County, MN, in the custody of the 
Polk County Historical Society, Crookston. For 
documentation of the activities of specific State 
headquarters, local boards, and appeal boards, 
researchers should contact the appropriate State 
archives or county historical society for further 
information. 

111.49 Also pertinent are the personal 
papers of civilian officials who served on local 
and appeal boards or as medical examiners. 
Examples include Robert F. Nuessle, chairman 
of the North Dakota State Headquarters, whose 
papers are deposited with the State Historical 
Society of North Dakota, Bismarck; and Dr. 
Samuel Atkins' notes and case notes of psychiat¬ 
ric examinations he conducted for the Selective 
Service in New York, in the custody of the New 
York Psychoanalytic Institute, Abraham A. Brill 
Library, New York City. As with the records of 
State headquarters and local boards, these mate¬ 
rials are most likely to be found at State and 
local depositories. 

111.50 Closely related to the whole of 
Selective Service records are the Records of the 
War Manpower Commission, RG 211, to which 
the Selective Service System was subordinated 
from December 1942 to December 1943. There 
are additional pertinent records among the 
records of the Department of Labor, RG 174. 


96 



Records of World War II, Part 


Record Group 165 


RG 165 RECORDS OF THE WAR DE¬ 
PARTMENT GENERAL AND 
SPECIAL STAFFS 

G-3 Division 

111.51 During the prewar period, the Opera¬ 
tions and Training Division (G-3) of the War 
Department General Staff maintained responsi¬ 
bility for the organization of all branches of the 
U.S. Army, the distribution and training of all 
units, the establishment of tables of organization, 
allowance, and equipment for major items, troop 
movements, and the setting of priorities in 
assigning replacements and equipment. The G-3 
Division also prepared the basic War Department 
mobilization plans, and supervised the prepara¬ 
tion of the War Department’s tactical and train¬ 
ing publications. 

111.52 With the establishment of the Opera¬ 
tions Division (OPD) within the General Staff in 
March 1942, the G-3 Division transferred all 
activities and responsibilities pertaining to the 
movement of troops and control of operations to 
the new staff division. (The "G-3" staff section 
for headquarters of field commands, however, 
continued to exercise operational responsibilities 
throughout the war.) OPD also assumed respon¬ 
sibility for determining the total number of units 
required by the Army (the Victory Program 
Troop Basis), in the course of which G-3 pre¬ 
pared plans for the mobilization of units for 
specific years (the War Department Troop 
Basis). In August 1943 some of the duties 
involved in troop basis planning were restored to 
G-3. 

111.53 During the war the G-3 Division was 
divided into two Groups, the Organization- 
Mobilization Group, which handled all non¬ 
training activities, and the Training Group. 
These sections worked closely with OPD and the 
Army Ground Forces (AGF), respectively, in 
performing their tasks. Because of its role in 
organization and equipment, G-3's records 
constitute a major source of information on U.S. 
Army combat doctrine throughout World War II. 


111.54 For the 1939-42 period, the G-3 
Division’s formerly security-classified general 
correspondence, 1939-42 (9 ft.), arranged 
according to a numerical classification scheme 
(nos. 230-48619), comprises the most pertinent 
source material. Many items are missing from 
the files (there are no entries, for example, 
between 311 and 10270), and the bulk of the 
extant entries are numbered 40000-48000. The 
available records document the organization and 
functions of G-3 (file 311); the contracting and 
preparation of training films (36812); the organi¬ 
zation, equipment, and training of antitank units 
(43107, 46351, and 46411); and G-3 Division 
staff conferences, February-December 1941 
(47985). Information on the preparation and 
revision of field manuals is scattered throughout 
the collection, but is particularly located in files 
38428 and 42160. 

111.55 A number of G-3 files were appar¬ 
ently incorporated within the records of other 
General Staff divisions (including the Office of 
the Chief of Staff) prior to the March 1942 
reorganization of the War Department. G-3 files 
42120 and 43792, for example, were integrated 
within War Plans Division numerical files 4329 
and 4504, respectively. There is, however, no 
comprehensive listing or subject index available 
for the G-3 Division's numerical files. 

111.56 Formerly security-classified gener¬ 
al correspondence, 1942-47 (136 ft.), is ar¬ 
ranged in three chronological subseries (1942-45, 
1946, and 1947), and thereunder according to 
the War Department decimal classification 
scheme. The 1942-45 subseries (58 ft.) includes 
a collection of project (subject) files, arranged 
alphabetically by subject or title at the end of the 
decimal arrangement. Files within the larger 
decimal classifications (e.g., 319.1, 320.3) are 
arranged chronologically; some are also subdi¬ 
vided into subject categories (e.g., 353 Amphibi¬ 
ous, 353 Army Ground Forces). G-3's wartime 
activities are extensively documented in this 
subseries; the records include data on overall 
personnel requirements (file 220); authorized and 
actual strengths of categories of units (file 320 


97 



Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Troop Basis and project file "Troop Basis"); 
tables of organization (320.2 T/O) and equip¬ 
ment (320.3 T/E) for Army units; educational 
instruction (352); training (353); and demobiliza¬ 
tion planning (370.01). The project files supple¬ 
ment the decimal files with information regard¬ 
ing service branches (e.g., Army Air Forces, 
Army Service Forces, Chemical Warfare Ser¬ 
vice); generic military organizations (e.g., 
Boards, Schools, Training Centers); specific 
organizations (Counter Intelligence Corps, 
Women's Army Corps); General Staff sections 
(including G-l, G-2, G-3, G-4, and OPD); and 
military publications (circulars, field and techni¬ 
cal manuals). Many of the documents contained 
in the project files, however, are only cover 
sheets that indicate the dates, originating offices, 
and titles of documents located elsewhere in G-3 
files. An exception is the file "Negro Policies," 
which documents organizational aspects of mili¬ 
tary use of African-Americans during the war. 

111.57 Decimal classification 319.1 differs 
from the remainder of the subseries with exten¬ 
sive data on combat operations. Included are 
reports on U.S. Army operations in North 
Africa, January 1943; an evaluation of the long- 
range penetration behind Japanese lines in Burma 
of the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade (under 
British Gen. Orde Wingate), August 1943; 
interviews of officers of the U.S. 1st Armored 
Division regarding combat lessons learned in 
Italy, November 1943; assessments of lessons 
learned in jungle warfare by the British 220 
Military Mission (or "Lethbridge Mission"), 
March 1944; and various reports on such topics 
as air-ground tactical cooperation, air attacks on 
Japanese fortifications, and the clearing of 
minefields and beach obstacles. 

111.58 Formerly security-classified corre¬ 
spondence and computations relating to War 
Department mobilization planning, 1924-47 
(11 ft.), arranged chronologically, detail mobili¬ 
zation plans prepared by G-3 during this period. 
The records mostly comprise data about person¬ 
nel strengths and estimates for existing and 
planned units, the activation of new units, the 


relative manpower contributions of the National 
Guard and Selective Service in meeting require¬ 
ments, and other mobilization issues. Much of 
the data is tabular and grouped by mobilization 
year, with extensive information for the period 
1939-40 and 1942. 

111.59 Division records also include a small 
collection of materials originated or collected by 
the Civil Defense Branch during its brief exis¬ 
tence, 1940-42. Formerly security-classified 
correspondence relating to the establishment, 
organization, and administration of the State 
Guards, 1940-42 (1 ft.), arranged numerically 
by jacket number (1-22), documents War De¬ 
partment participation in the organization of 
State Guard formations. The series includes 
pertinent congressional legislation, correspon¬ 
dence regarding the military status of individuals 
in these units, and British publications on the 
organization and activities of the "Home Guard" 
militia units. Formerly security-classified 
correspondence and reports relating to the 
War Department Civil Defense Mission to 
England to observe methods of protection of 
civilian communities from air and other 
attacks, 1941 (1 ft.), arranged by subject, 
actually consists of a narrative study and accom¬ 
panying enclosures of British civil defense, 
April-May 1941. Included are reports of the 
effects of German bombing on British railways 
and public utilities, and assessments and photo¬ 
graphs of bomb damage to physical structures. 

111.60 Additional records originated by the 
G-3 Division are located among the records of 
the other General Staff divisions, including OPD 
and the Office of the Chief of Staff; for the 
period prior to March 1942, a sizable quantity 
will also be found among the records of the 
Adjutant General's Office, RG 407. These 
collections are described in chapters I and II. 

The Army War College 

111.61 Prior to 1939 the Army War College, 
under the policy direction of the G-3 Division, 
trained officers for command and staff duties 


98 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 165 


with field armies. The institution suspended 
instruction shortly after the outbreak of war in 
Europe as the faculty transferred to the newly 
established General Headquarters, U.S. Army. 
Thereafter the War College's activities remained 
confined to the maintenance of its library service 
(primarily for the benefit of the Army Ground 
Forces) and its Historical Service (most of whose 
functions were later transferred to the Military 
Intelligence Branch, G-2). 

111.62 Wartime records of the Army War 
College total less than 3 ft. of special orders, 
1919-45, special court-martial orders, 1941-45, 
and general orders, Headquarters, Wash¬ 
ington, D.C. Barracks, 1917-45, each of which 
is arranged chronologically by year and thereun¬ 
der numerically. All of these orders pertain to 
assignments, transfers, and other personnel 
actions concerning individual personnel stationed 
at the War College. 

111.63 The curricular archives of the Army 
War College, 1907-40, are in the custody of the 
U.S. Army Military History Research Collec¬ 
tion, Carlisle Barracks, PA. These materials 
include lectures, studies, and student research 
papers. Copies of the institution's annual reports 
and of its monthly Library Bulletin (listing 
accessions to the library) are located among the 
Publications of the U.S. Government, RG 287. 

The Command and General Staff School 

111.64 Located at Fort Leavenworth, KS, 
the Command and General Staff School instruct¬ 
ed officers in basic command and staff doctrine 
for duty as general staff officers of divisions, 
corps, and analogous air components of the 
Army. The school was administered by the 
Army Service Forces but fell under the policy 
direction of the G-3 Division. 

111.65 In contrast to the Army War College, 
the Command and General Staff School contin¬ 
ued to operate throughout the war, although the 
length of courses of study was considerably 
reduced. By 1944 the School offered separate 
curriculums for Army Air Forces, Army Ground 


Forces, and Army Service Forces officers. 
Special classes and programs were developed for 
such areas as the activation of new divisions, 
industrial procurement, and the military instruc¬ 
tion of Brazilian and other Latin American 
officers in U.S. Army organization and doctrine. 

111.66 Wartime records of the school (now 
designated the U.S. Army Command and Gener¬ 
al Staff College) remain in its custody. These 
include correspondence, policy and working 
papers, lectures, studies, and student research 
papers. At the time of the preparation of this 
guide, access to these materials is restricted. 

111.67 Considerable data relating to the 
activities of the school is located among the 
project (subject) files appended to the Adjutant 
General's Office general correspondence files, 
1940-54 (both unclassified and formerly classi¬ 
fied), RG 407, generally under project heading 
"Military Schools." Descriptions of these 
correspondence files are found in chapters I and 
II. Copies of the School's official magazine, the 
Quarterly Review of Military Literature (after 
March 1943 the Military Review ), are located 
among the Publications of the U.S. Government, 
RG 287. 

War Department Manpower Board 

111.68 The Records of the War Department 
General and Special Staffs, RG 165, also include 
records of the War Department Manpower Board 
(known as WDMB and as the Gasser Board after 
its President, Maj. Gen. L. D. Gasser). Estab¬ 
lished in early 1943 as a Special Staff division, 
the WDMB studied the Army's needs for, and 
most efficient use of, civilian and military 
manpower in manning Army organizations and 
facilities within the continental United States. 
The Board appraised personnel requirements, 
prepared inventories of personnel, and recom¬ 
mended limits for personnel strength in particu¬ 
lar organizations. In 1944 it also reviewed the 
use of civilian personnel in the zones of commu¬ 
nication in the North African and European 
theaters of operations. 


99 




Record Group 165 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


111.69 The five-member Board executed its 
responsibilities through a number of staff and 
field sections. Separate staff sections for the 
Army Air Forces, the Ground Forces and Ser¬ 
vice Commands, and the Technical Services 
coordinated, standardized, and ruled on the 
personnel requests of the corresponding major 
commands and agencies of the War Department. 
An Executive Section worked with the Bureau of 
the Budget concerning civilian personnel allot¬ 
ments. Ten numbered field sections undertook 
studies of manpower needs and availability in 
each of nine Service Commands and the Military 
District of Washington, DC. 

111.70 The most significant series of 
WDMB records is general correspondence, 
1939-47 (39 ft.), arranged by year and thereun¬ 
der according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. The following decimal classifications 
consistently furnish the data most relevant to the 
Board's activities: 200.3, for personnel ceilings 
for specific commands and organizations; 323.3 
and 333 (Form 106), for statistical surveys of 
personnel assigned to service commands; 334.7, 
for documentation of the Board's policies and 
procedures in discharging its functions; and 337, 
for agenda and minutes of Board conferences. 
Access to the contents of this series is facilitated 
by a name and subject index ("cross-reference 
file") to part (1943-44) of the general corre¬ 
spondence, arranged by year and thereunder 
alphabetically by name or subject, and by a 
register of correspondence ("list of papers"), 
1943-47, arranged chronologically by month. 
Both of these indexes identify individual docu¬ 
ments by date, file number, name(s) of corre¬ 
spondents), and synopsis of contents. 

111.71 Formerly security-classified gener¬ 
al correspondence, 1943-47 (4 ft.), arranged by 
year and thereunder according to the War De¬ 
partment decimal scheme, features the same 
pattern of significant file classifications for 
record content as noted for the general corre¬ 
spondence. Additional data regarding the estab¬ 
lishment of maximum manpower needs for 
specific commands is found in formerly securi¬ 


ty-classified correspondence and reports 
relating to civilian and military personnel 
ceilings ("work analysis files"), 1943-44 (7 ft.), 
arranged according to a numerical classification 
scheme. 

111.72 Two series reproduce the Board's 
statistical findings. Formerly security-classified 
reports of manpower surveys, 1943-45 (17 ft.), 
are arranged in two subseries, the first (for 
general Army installations) alphabetically by 
state and thereunder alphabetically by name of 
installation, and the second (for Army Service 
Forces facilities) by type of installation. In the 
first subseries, the survey of the "Alamogordo 
Bombing Range, Alamogordo, New Mexico" 
details the staffing and physical characteristics of 
the base in ignorance of its role as an atomic 
bomb development and testing site. Less signifi¬ 
cant are Manpower Board reports of the War 
Department, 1945-46 (less than 1 ft.), arranged 
by type of report and thereunder chronologically, 
which summarize data concerning Army person¬ 
nel processing installations and Army Service 
Forces' personnel requirements for the late war 
period. 

Special Planning Division 

111.73 This Special Staff division (also 
known as SPD), established in May 1943, was 
charged with the preparation of demobilization 
plans for military and industrial activities of the 
War Department in the transition from war to 
peacetime status. This task included the recom¬ 
mendation and preparation of legislation, regula¬ 
tions, and other procedures required to imple¬ 
ment the demobilization plans. 

111.74 The Special Planning Division had 
five planning branches (Organization, Personnel, 
Material, Service Operations and Transportation, 
and Fiscal), each of which performed the above 
duties in its respective field, and three staff 
branches (Legislative and Liaison, Research, and 
Executive) that assisted the Division Director 
and the planning branches in carrying out these 
tasks. In September 1945 the SPD was discon- 


100 



Records of World War II, Part 1 

tinued and its demobilization functions trans¬ 
ferred to the Office of the Under Secretary of 
War (for industrial aspects) and the War Depart¬ 
ment General Staff (for military aspects). 

111.75 Formerly security-classified gener¬ 
al correspondence, 1943-46 (42 ft.), contains 
the extant records of the Special Planning Divi¬ 
sion, arranged in two subseries: (1) According to 
the War Department decimal scheme and there¬ 
under chronologically and (2) "project files" 
arranged alphabetically by subject or by name of 
organization. Within the decimal subseries, 
classification 350.06 includes 167 numbered 
studies prepared by SPD relating to demobiliza¬ 
tion; classification 319.1 contains the division's 
monthly progress reports, September 1944-April 
1946; the files within classification 310 provide 
historical data on the organization and functions 
of SPD; and classification 291.2 consists of 
assessments by Army theater commanders and 
other senior commanders regarding the role of 
African-Americans in the postwar military 
establishment. 

111.76 The "project files" include the largest 
collection of the SPD's monthly progress re¬ 
ports, covering the period August 1943-Septem- 
ber 1945. Many "project files" document the 
SPD's relations with other agencies and organi¬ 
zations, supplementing the information found in 
the decimal subseries under classification 334. 
Some general subjects are described in several 
"project files"; data concerning the demobiliza¬ 
tion of the Army Air Forces (AAF), for exam¬ 
ple, is located in files "AAF Special Planning 
Project," "Aircraft Industry," and "'J' Plan." 

111.77 Access to this series is facilitated by 
cross-reference sheets to the general corre¬ 
spondence, 1943-46 (2 ft.). Arranged by index 
subject according to the War Department deci¬ 
mal scheme, each cross-reference sheet identifies 
an individual document according to file classifi¬ 
cation number, date, names of correspondents, 
and a synopsis of contents; these pertain, 
however, only to the decimal subseries of the 
general correspondence. 


Record Group 165 

RG 177 RECORDS OF THE CHIEFS OF 
ARMS 

111.78 Prior to March 1942, responsibility 
for the training of Army ground combat troops 
was divided among four branches or "arms" 
(Infantry, Field Artillery, Coast Artillery, and 
Cavalry), each directed by an Office of the Chief 
of the arm, located in Washington. Known 
collectively as the "Chiefs of Arms" and respon¬ 
sible directly to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. 
Army, these offices exercised direct supervision 
and control over schools and boards, formulated 
and developed tactical doctrine, prepared manu¬ 
als and training literature, cooperated with the 
chiefs of supply services in developing arma¬ 
ments and equipment, and coordinated the 
assignment of personnel with the Adjutant 
General. The War Department reorganization of 
March 9, 1942, abolished these offices and 
transferred their functions to the Commanding 
General, Army Ground Forces. 

111.79 The Records of the Chiefs of Arms, 
RG 177, date back to the establishment of the 
first Chief of Artillery in 1901. Many individual 
files incorporate documents dated 1920 through 
1942. Although the records have little signifi¬ 
cance for the conduct of U.S. wartime opera¬ 
tions, they constitute an important source for 
information concerning Army tactical doctrine, 
organization, and equipment throughout the 
interwar period through the American entry into 
the war. Those series of records directly related 
to this period are described below. 

III.8G The most significant records are 
those of the Office of the Chief of Infantry. 
General correspondence, 1920-42 (51 ft.), is 
arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme but apparently incorporates 
earlier numeric and subject file designations; 
e.g., file 473.85/5723. The series constitutes a 
major source of information on infantry and 
armored developments during the interwar and 
early World War II periods. Classification 
470.8, for example, details the testing and 
adoption of tanks and other armored vehicles 


101 


Record Group 177 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


within the Army, 1926-39 (file 470.8/550-IX 
concerns the testing of the Christie light tank in 
1933); additional information on tanks is located 
in file 473.85/5723. Numerous photographs are 
incorporated within the files. 

111.81 Classification 400.112 documents 
proposed reorganizations of infantry divisions 
and subordinate units, 1935-39; extensive infor¬ 
mation on the organization and training of 
paratroop units is located in classification 
320/9685. In addition to the annual reports of 
the Infantry Board and the Tank School, classifi¬ 
cation 319.1 includes a summary of infantry 
organization and armament developments, 1937- 

41 (319.1/Maj. Gen. George A. Lynch's Report, 
April 1941), and a February 1942 performance 
assessment of specific weapons and equipment 
on Bataan (319.1/Philippine Islands). File 
381/9685 pertains to the 1941 establishment of 
standard "units of fire" to measure ammunition 
expenditure rates. Files 474.2/6572 and 
472.5/613 document the Army's tests and adop¬ 
tion of the M-l rifle and the Browning .50 
caliber machine gun, respectively. Antitank 
weapons and measures for the 1937-41 period, 
including observers' reports on British wartime 
lessons, are described in file 472.5/9884. 

111.82 In addition, Office of the Chief of 
Infantry records include lists and other records 
relating to Army War College Training, 1937- 

42 (2 ft.), arranged chronologically. These 
document the enrollment of infantry officers at 
the Army War College, the Army Industrial 
College, and the Command and General Staff 
School during the indicated period. 

111.83 Of the records of the Office of the 
Chief of Coast Artillery, the most significant 
material is found in general correspondence, 
1918-42 (331 ft.), arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme. Larger files are 
thereunder arranged according to alphabetical 
designations (e.g., 319.13/HB). Included is 
extensive documentation of antiaircraft weapons 
and units, which were incorporated by the Army 
within the Coast Artillery. The records provide 
information on the technical and physical charac¬ 


teristics of specific artillery pieces (classification 
472), firing tests of specific weapons (353.42), 
the organization of coast artillery units (320 and 
320.2), and details of harbor defenses and 
coastal fortifications (662 through 665). Classifi¬ 
cation 004.5 consists of photographs (some 
mounted in albums) of coastal artillery pieces, 
equipment, shells, and installations. Annual 
reports of the Office of the Chief of Coast 
Artillery and of the Coast Artillery School are 
located in classification 319.123. Regular train¬ 
ing reports for specific units and reports of 
specific exercises can be found in classifications 
353.1 through 353.17. 

III.84 The files within classifications 319.13 
through 319.134 include numerous records 
originated by the Military Intelligence Division 
(MID) of the War Department General Staff 
regarding antiaircraft (AA) and air defense 
measures in Great Britain, Germany, and 
France. Many of these documents were with¬ 
drawn from MID files and forwarded directly to 
the Office of the Chief of Coast Artillery, with¬ 
out any cross-references provided; e.g., the 
contents of file 319.13/BM, a report on German 
coastal fortifications on the island of Helgoland, 
apparently were removed from MID file 
2172-658, although the associated correspon¬ 
dence and the report's table of contents remain 
in the MID file among the Military Intelligence 
Division’s records, RG 165. These materials 
include both original reports and publications by 
foreign sources along with MID translations. 
Particularly noteworthy are materials concerning 
German AA weapons and air defense measures 
for the 1931-37 period, located in file 
319.134/A-I, and equivalent British documenta¬ 
tion in file 319.131/A-Z. In addition, classifica¬ 
tion 319.13 includes MID biweekly intelligence 
summaries of international military develop¬ 
ments, February 1937-January 1938 
(319.13/MIS Reports), Coast Artillery School 
research studies on World War I and national 
defense needs, and numerous reports of tests of 
A A weapons. 


102 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 177 


111.85 Closely associated with this series are 
records relating to the Antiaircraft Command, 
1918-42 (63 ft.), which follow the same arrange¬ 
ment as the preceding series. This series incor¬ 
porates records withdrawn from the general 
correspondence and records originated by the 
Antiaircraft Command, Richmond, VA; much of 
the material, however, pertains to the whole of 
the Coast Artillery. Classifications 320 and 
320.2, for example, provide extensive data for 
both antiaircraft and coastal artillery units. More 
generally, file 320/KC consists of a series of 
statistical reports, "Status of the Army of the 
United States-Personnel," detailing the strengths 
of all regular Army units, February 1941-De¬ 
cember 1942. 

111.86 Several classifications relate entirely 
to antiaircraft issues. Classification 319.131 
concerns British air defense measures and weap¬ 
ons, including the testing of naval A A weapons 
for members of the British Technical Mission to 
the U.S., September-December 1940. Classifica¬ 
tion 353 details training of AA units. A large 
number of studies and reports are incorporated 
with classification 666, including Coast Artillery 
School studies on the employment of AA weap¬ 
ons (666/EV), information regarding British 
wartime A A experiences, September 1939- 
December 1940 (666/FF-FS), and data regarding 
A A defenses of Oahu, Hawaii, 1923-37 
(666/20A and 666/45C). 

111.87 Scattered throughout both of the 
above series are transferral sheets indicating the 
transfer of individual files to records of other 
departments (Ordnance, Engineers, Services of 
Supply). No specific citations to files are provid¬ 
ed. 

111.88 Access to both of the preceding 
series is partly facilitated by a subject index to 
the general correspondence and records relating 
to the Antiaircraft Command (270 ft.). This is a 
card index divided in three parts: (1) General 
subjects (excluding geographic areas), arranged 
alphabetically; (2) organizations, further divided 
between U.S. Army commands and units (ar¬ 
ranged by category of unit and thereunder 


numerically by designation) and private firms 
(arranged alphabetically); and (3) geographic 
areas, including specific locations within the 
U.S., foreign countries, and a separate alphabet¬ 
ical listing of coastal artillery batteries (e.g., 
Battery Adair, Battery Adams). Each index card 
provides the date, file number, and abstract of 
the contents of the relevant document. Two 
limitations, however, hinder the use of this 
index: No distinctions are made between the two 
series indexed, nor do the cards indicate those 
items subsequently transferred to other depart¬ 
ments. 

111.89 Formerly security-classified gener¬ 
al correspondence, 1919-42 (23 ft.), arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme but with some unarranged "miscella¬ 
neous" files at the end, apparently consists of 
items withdrawn from the general correspon¬ 
dence series. Some of the most significant 
documentation concerns the awarding of govern¬ 
ment contracts to private firms (classification 
160), information regarding labor disputes, 
strikes, and security conditions at plants under 
government contract (383.4), and correspon¬ 
dence on the procurement of signal and fire 
control equipment for coastal artillery batteries 
(665). 

111.90 Records of the Office of the Chief of 
Field Artillery (OCFA) are similar in content to 
those of the Coast Artillery. The most significant 
series is the general correspondence, 1920-42 
(44 ft.), arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal scheme. The correspondence is 
particularly useful for information regarding the 
enrollment and use of college students in the 
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), 1931- 
41 (classifications 322.991 and 326.6); the 
assignment of field artillery officers from the 
prewar period through October 1943 (210.31); 
tests of artillery pieces, ammunition, and equip¬ 
ment (471 through 472.93); and the use of trucks 
and other vehicles by the field artillery (451.2 
and 537.3). Classification 061.01 includes 
information on the use of aerial photography by 
the field artillery; classification 319.1 contains 


103 


Record Group 177 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


the OCFA's annual reports and considerable 
information on the overall organization of 
armies, corps, and divisions in 1937. At the 
beginning of the series is a listing of the decimal 
file designation, the subject content, and the date 
span for each file in the series. 

111.91 The subject index to the general 
correspondence and other records, 1917-43 
(210 ft.), also facilitates access to these records. 
Arranged alphabetically by subject (many of 
which are subdivided into subordinate subjects), 
this card index includes the pertinent file desig¬ 
nations, dates, and abstracts of documents for 
specific subjects. A number of the subjects 
indexed, however, cannot be identified among 
the general correspondence; e.g., the entry for 
"intelligence reports" provides citations to 
decimal files under classification 350.05 that are 
not located in the series. 

111.92 OCFA records also include photo¬ 
graphs, 1917-43 (7 ft.), arranged alphabetically 
by subject. These are captioned positive prints, 
generally unaccompanied by text. The entry for 
"Guns" includes photographs for British, French, 
German, and Japanese artillery pieces from this 
period; the entry for "Tanks" pertains to firing 
tests of antitank weapons. 

111.93 Closely related to the OCFA corre¬ 
spondence files is the Field Artillery Board's 
subject file, 1904-39 (2 ft.), arranged chrono¬ 
logically by year and thereunder according to 
War Department decimal file numbers. The most 
pertinent material concerns the use of vehicles in 
1939 (classification 451). More significant are 
Field Artillery miscellaneous files, 1931-42 (2 
ft.). Arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, this series includes intelligence 
digests of British, German, and French artillery 
experiences in Europe and North Africa, 1940- 
41 (classification 319.1); reports and correspon¬ 
dence regarding proposed reorganizations of 
divisions, corps, and armies, 1935-37 (file 
320.2/AA-49); reports on the employment of 
aviation and aerial photography to facilitate field 
artillery use (file 373/J); and documentation of 
field artillery mobilization plans, 1933-40 (clas¬ 


sification 381). A listing of the file designations, 
dates, and contents is located at the beginning of 
the series. 

111.94 The Office of the Chief of Cavalry's 
general correspondence, 1920-42 (34 ft.), 
arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, documents that branch's transi¬ 
tion to a mechanized force during the interwar 
period. Classifications 320.3 and 322.02 detail 
organizational changes in general and for specif¬ 
ic cavalry units; classifications 333 and 353 
provide data on changes in training; extensive 
data on the testing and use of motor vehicles is 
located in classification 451. 

Related Records 

111.95 Closely related are the Records of 
Headquarters, Army Ground Forces, RG 337, 
which assumed the organization and training 
functions formerly exercised by the Chiefs of 
Arms; these records are described in this chap¬ 
ter. Related records are also located among those 
of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, RG 165, and 
the Adjutant General's Office, RG 407, de¬ 
scribed in chapters I and II. 

RG 168 RECORDS OF THE NATIONAL 
GUARD BUREAU 

111.96 The National Guard Bureau, a 1933 
redesignation of the former Militia Bureau, 
functioned as the War Department's agency to 
assist States in the administration and develop¬ 
ment of National Guard units while the latter 
were not in the service of the Federal Govern¬ 
ment. Responsible to the U.S. Army Chief of 
Staff, the Bureau diminished in extent and 
significance with the accelerated activation of 
National Guard units after 1940. During the war 
the Bureau's chief activity involved the mainte¬ 
nance of wartime records of the National Guard 
and the formulation of postwar policies. The 
Bureau also represented the War Department in 
policy matters concerning the State Guard, State 
units established after 1940 to take the place of 


104 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 168 


the National Guard in emergencies. In March 
1942 the Bureau was assigned to the Adjutant 
General's Office, and in April 1942 it became 
one of the "administrative services" of the 
Services of Supply (later Army Service Forces); 
in May 1945 the Bureau was transferred to the 
General Staff as a Special Staff Division. The 
National Guard Bureau in 1948 became a joint 
bureau of the Army and the Air Force. 

111.97 Wartime functions of the Bureau 
were carried out by its five subordinate branch¬ 
es, designated as follows: Budget, Fiscal, and 
Construction; Personnel; Regulations; Planning; 
and Organization, Training, and Supply. 

111.98 The records of the Bureau document 
only its own activities and do not include unit 
records of National Guard units. Pertinent series 
are described below. 

111.99 The most significant records of the 
Bureau are its decimal correspondence files, 
1922-62 (1,406 ft.), divided into chronological 
subseries and thereunder arranged according to 
the War Department decimal scheme. The 1922- 
45 subseries (202 ft.) is itself divided between 
general files arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme and alphabetically 
arranged State files (including the Territories of 
Alaska and Hawaii). Within the former, larger 
files are arranged by case numbers that are 
roughly chronological; within the latter, each 
State's files are arranged according to War 
Department decimal classifications 325.1 through 
325.52. 

III. 100 The 1922-45 general files docu¬ 
ment issues relevant for all National Guard 
formations, issues which are often applicable to 
regular Army units as well; classification 325.4, 
for example, concerns the planned inactivation of 
units of all types after the cessation of hostilities. 
Classification 319.1 contains the annual reports 
prepared by the Chief of the National Guard 
Bureau, but also includes intelligence reports and 
observations regarding the operations of Ger¬ 
man, British, French, Italian, and Japanese 
forces, 1935-43. General information on the 
organization and activation of Army units can be 


found in classification 320.2, while the induction 
and activation of National Guard units into 
Federal service is located in classification 
325.452. Index sheets are scattered throughout 
the general files, particularly at the end of larger 
decimal classifications, to furnish cross-referenc¬ 
es to related documents elsewhere in the general 
files. 

III. 101 Most of the subseries relates to 
National Guard units. The general files include 
information on budgetary and financial aspects 
(classification 111), the appointment of officers 
(210.1), tables of organization (325.43), strength 
returns (325.44), military education and staff 
instruction for officers (352), training (353), and 
the construction of training camps and installa¬ 
tions (685.1). The State files detail the organiza¬ 
tion, strength, and activation of specific National 
Guard units. 

III. 102 The formerly classified decimal 
correspondence file, 1922-54 (6 ft.), arranged 
loosely according to the War Department deci¬ 
mal scheme, primarily concerns the postwar era. 
Classification 324 State Guard, however, con¬ 
sists of several extensive reports on the organi¬ 
zation, strength, weapons, training, and other 
activities of the British Home Guard, 1940-42. 

III. 103 The decimal correspondence file 
of the Immediate Office of the Chief of the 
National Guard Bureau, 1920-53 (34 ft.), is 
also divided into chronological subseries and 
thereunder arranged according to the War De¬ 
partment decimal scheme. The 1920-50 subse¬ 
ries includes circulars, bulletins, and memoran¬ 
dums issued during the war years (classifications 
300.4 through 300.6). The annual report of the 
Chief of the Bureau for 1942 and the Bureau's 
weekly activity reports, August 1942-May 1945, 
are located in classification 319.1. Classification 
461 consists of weekly directives issued by the 
Headquarters of Army Ground Forces, 1944-46. 

III. 104 The decimal correspondence file 
relating to the organization of the wartime 
State Guard, 1941-49 (19 ft.), documents the 
Bureau's involvement with State Guard matters. 
The series is divided between general files 


105 


Record Group 168 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme and alphabetically arranged State 
files, each of which is thereunder arranged by 
the same decimal scheme. Classification 319.1 in 
the general files includes monthly activity reports 
for State Guard units, arranged alphabetically by 
state, for the period January 1943-January 1947. 

Related Records 

III. 105 Within RG 407, the Adjutant 
General's Office unclassified central decimal 
correspondence file for the 1940-45 period 
includes considerable documentation of the 
National Guard, particularly under decimal 
classification 325 "Militia/National Guard" and 
special project file "National Guard." Extensive 
data is also scattered among several series of 
records (generally under classification 325) of 
Headquarters, Army Ground Forces, RG 337, 
described in this chapter. Records of inspections 
and investigations by the Army Inspector Gener¬ 
al are located among the Records of the Office 
of the Inspector General, RG 159, described in 
chapter II. Additional pertinent records are 
located among Records of the War Department 
General Staff, RG 165, described in this chapter, 
and among the Records of the Army Service 
Forces, RG 160, described in chapter VI. 

III. 106 Copies of official publications of 
the National Guard Bureau during World War II, 
including the Official National Guard Register 
and the Bureau's Tables of Organization, are 
located among the Publications of the U.S. 
Government, RG 287. Copies of these publica¬ 
tions are also generally available from the Gov¬ 
ernment documents sections of larger libraries. 

III. 107 Records concerning National 
Guard units prior to their entry into Federal 
service remain in the custody of State and local 
archives. Special orders issued by the New York 
State Adjutant General's Office, for example, 
are located in the New York State Archives, 
Cultural Education Center, Albany. The personal 
papers of National Guard senior officers who 
served in World War II are similarly disposed. 


For example, the papers of Raymond S. Mc¬ 
Lain, a member of the Oklahoma National 
Guard and division artillery commander of the 
45th Infantry Division, are held by the Western 
History Collections, University of Oklahoma, 
Norman. 

RG 337 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS 
ARMY GROUND FORCES 

III. 108 The March 1942 reorganization of 
the War Department resulted in the establishment 
of the Army Ground Forces (AGF) as the 
principal command for ground combat troops in 
the continental United States. Inheriting the 
functions, duties, and powers formerly exercised 
by the offices of the chiefs of the combat arms 
(Infantry, Field Artillery, Coast Artillery, and 
Cavalry) and training functions previously held 
by the General Headquarters, U.S. Army, the 
AGF assumed responsibility for individual 
training of ground troops, the organizing and 
training of combat divisions and other tactical 
units, and training in the use of ground weapons 
and equipment. Headquarters AGF also assisted 
in formulating requirements for ground weapons 
and equipment, testing such weapons and equip¬ 
ment, and developing tactical doctrine and 
operational techniques used in land warfare. 

III. 109 Under the successive command of 
Lt. Gen. Leslie J. McNair (March 1942-August 
1944) and Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell (November 
1944-September 1945), Headquarters Army 
Ground Forces generally followed the organiza¬ 
tion of a field headquarters (staff sections G-l 
through G-4, together with a Requirements 
Section and several technical service staff sec¬ 
tions). In addition, AGF inherited or established 
training schools and centers and service boards 
for specific combat arms or specific combat 
conditions. The most significant of these training 
centers were the Desert Training Center (later 
redesignated the California-Arizona Maneuver 
Area), Camp Young, CA (initially commanded 
by Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, April-August 
1942); the Mountain Warfare Training Center, 


106 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 337 


Camp Hale, CO; the Amphibious Training 
Center, Camp Carrabelle (later redesignated 
Camp Gordon Johnston), FL; the Airborne 
Command and Center, Ft. Benning, GA; the 
Antiaircraft Command and Center, Ft. Bliss, 
TX; the Armored Force Command and Center, 
Ft. Knox, KY; and the Tank Destroyer Center, 
Camp Hood, TX. 

III.110 Responsibility for the basic train¬ 
ing of troops destined for later training with 
AGF, as well as for the recruiting, training, and 
organizing of noncombat troops for overseas 
duty, rested with the Office of the Director of 
Military Training under Headquarters, Army 
Service Forces. Headquarters AGF continued its 
activities after the war; after March 1948 it was 
redesignated the Office of the Chief of Army 
Field Forces. 

Ill. 111 The records of Headquarters AGF 
total approximately 1,950 feet for the period 
1939-54, arranged in over 150 series. Wartime 
AGF records pertain to three subject areas. The 
majority of the records, originated by Headquar¬ 
ters AGF and its constituent commands, relate to 
the activation, organization, and training of 
Army forces within the United States. 

III. 112 Scattered throughout these materi¬ 
als are observations of combat experiences (or 
"lessons learned") regarding the efficacy of 
Army training, organization, weapons, equip¬ 
ment, and tactics in all theaters of operations. 
Also incorporated within the records are perti¬ 
nent British documents and extensive intelligence 
data concerning German and Japanese forces. 
Many items represent original reports submitted 
by AGF observers in the field; others are assess¬ 
ments independently offered by field commands 
and individual field officers; still others consist 
merely of copies or extracts from after-action 
reports or POW interrogations. Some duplication 
of items exists, but the extent of duplication 
cannot be determined without a comprehensive 
review of all pertinent records. 

III. 113 Finally, AGF records incorporate 
extensive records of General Headquarters, U.S. 
Army (GHQ, USA) an operational as well as a 


training command during the 1940-42 period, 
and thus include significant operational informa¬ 
tion on U.S. forces for that period. Included are 
records of U.S. commands on Iceland, Green¬ 
land, and in the Caribbean for the early war 
period. GHQ, USA records also document the 
beginning of manpower mobilization in anticipa¬ 
tion of American entry into the war. Because of 
the volume of records, only selected wartime 
series are described below. 

III. 114 The records of the AGF Adjutant 
General's (AG) Section are the most significant. 
Included among these are the Headquarters, 
Commanding General, general decimal file, 
1940-44 (3 ft.); general correspondence file, 
1940-45 (1 ft.) (arranged in two sections, 1940- 
44 and 1945, and thereunder arranged alphabeti¬ 
cally by name of correspondent); and reference 
file (1 ft.) (correspondence and reports relating 
to tests of proposed infantry division organiza¬ 
tion, 1937-39). The decimal file is particularly 
important for documenting McNair's activities; 
file 314.81, for example, details McNair's tour 
of the North African theater of operations, 
April-May 1943, during which he was wounded 
by German shellfire. Other items located in the 
decimal subseries include a copy of the U.S. 
Seventh Army's report of operations in Sicily, 
July-August 1943 (319.1/78), and British and 
captured German reports concerning combat in 
North Africa, 1941, and British preparations for 
gas and chemical warfare countermeasures 
(319.1/151-202). 

III. 115 The 1940-44 general correspon¬ 
dence subseries contains extensive correspon¬ 
dence between McNair and various officers and 
officials, including numerous letters exchanged 
with Gen. George S. Patton on the effectiveness 
of weapons, equipment, and training. 

III.116 The AG Section's formerly top 
secret decimal correspondence file, 1942-50 (7 
ft.), is arranged into chronological subseries for 
1942-47, 1948, and 1949-50 and thereunder 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. The 1942-47 subseries contains several 
key wartime items, including a report by one 


107 


Record Group 337 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Col. W. H. S. Wright to the Secretary of War 
regarding his observations of SHAEF Headquar¬ 
ters, the D-Day invasion, and fighting in Nor¬ 
mandy, May-July 1944 (file 319.1). Extensive 
information on the organization and activities of 
camouflage and radio deception units in Great 
Britain, 1944, is located in files 320.2 and 
370.3; file 370.2 contains observations on 
combat lessons learned in North Africa and New 
Guinea, 1942-44. 

111.117 The AG Section's formerly 
confidential, secret, and unclassified decimal 
correspondence files, 1940-54 (ca. 800 ft.), 
constitute the AGF central files. Organized into 
chronological subseries and thereunder according 
to the War Department decimal scheme, the 
1942-48 subseries (ca. 433 ft.) is itself divided 
between a decimal arrangement (379 ft.) and a 
collection of project decimal files (54 ft.). 
Within the decimal arrangement, classifications 
320.2 (organization and strength of the Army), 
321 (organization and strength of specific service 
branches), and 353 (training) provide extensive 
data on these activities within AGF. Files within 
these classifications are arranged into subject 
headings, e.g. 353 "Training Directives," 353 
"Air-Ground." Other subjects thoroughly 
documented in the files include the assignment 
and transfer of enlisted personnel (classification 
220.3) and the movements of newly activated 
units of all categories (370.5). General McNair's 
201 file contains extensive official and personal 
correspondence of the AGF commanding officer, 
together with cross-reference sheets indexing 
additional correspondence within the series. 

111.118 File classifications 291.2 and 
322.999 detail the mobilization and use of 
African-Americans in the Army, with additional 
data scattered among file classifications 321 
(regarding specific African-American formations) 
and 353 "Special Training Units" (largely 
concerning educational training). The military 
mobilization of women is documented in classifi¬ 
cation 324.5 "Women's Army Corps" and 
project file "Women's Army Corps." Classifica¬ 


tion 704 furnishes considerable data on casualties 
suffered during training. 

III. 119 Two decimal file classifications are 
especially valuable for historical data. Classi¬ 
fication 319.1 "Foreign (Overseas) Observers" 
consists of several files that detail combat 
lessons learned by American forces, particularly 
during the 1942-43 period. U.S. Army opera¬ 
tions in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, New Guinea, 
and the Aleutians are analyzed by AGF observ¬ 
ers with respect to combat tactics, organization, 
weapons, and equipment. Reports are sometimes 
accompanied by interviews with officers and 
photographs. (A more complete collection of 
overseas observers' reports is located among the 
records of the AGF G-2 Section, described 
below.) 

III. 120 Similar material is also located 
under classification 319.1 subheadings "Miscel¬ 
laneous Reports" and "Military Attache Re¬ 
ports," but these are more likely to contain 
information on the organization and tactics of 
British and German forces, including accounts of 
battle experiences in Libya and Egypt, 1941-42. 
The "Miscellaneous Reports" subheading also 
includes numerous recommendations regarding 
equipment and weaponry and a July 1942 assess¬ 
ment of the U.S. Army Coast Artillery's perfor¬ 
mance in the Philippines, 1941-42. 

III. 121 Although most of the files included 
within classification 381 concern the mobilization 
and movement of new units according to opera¬ 
tive war plans, a detailed study of the landing of 
Task Force GOALPOST at Port Lyautey, 
Morocco, November 1942, is located in file 381 
"North Africa.” 

III. 122 Classification 314.7 largely con¬ 
sists of a history of the Army Ground Forces 
during World War II, in the form of 37 mono¬ 
graphs prepared by the Historical Section of 
Headquarters, AGF. The studies, completed 
during the 1946-48 period, describe and analyze 
specific AGF organizations and activities. 
(Drafts and notes of these studies are located 
among the records of the AGF's Historical 
Section, described later in this chapter.) 


108 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

III. 123 Arranged in numerical order, the 
studies treat the general history of AGF (No. 2) 
and its predecessor, General Headquarters, U.S. 
Army (No. 1); the mobilization and organization 
of ground combat forces (Nos. 3-9); general 
training (Nos. 10-12, 30-32); the activation and 
training of the U.S. Second (No. 16), Third 
(No. 17), Fourth (No. 18), and Fifteenth (No. 
19) Armies in the U.S.; the establishment and 
operations of such special training centers as the 
Desert (No. 15), Mountain (Nos. 23-24), and 
Amphibious (No. 22) Centers; and the activities 
of such specialized training commands as the 
Antiaircraft Command (No. 26), Tank Destroy¬ 
ers (No. 29), the Airborne Command (No. 25), 
and the Armored Force Command (No. 27). 
Other monographs examine such specific topics 
as the history of the Tenth Light Division (Al¬ 
pine) (No. 28), the AGF's role in developing 
air-ground battle cooperation (No. 35), and the 
training of African-American troops (No. 36). 

III.124 The project decimal files, generally 
arranged alphabetically by subject and thereunder 
according to the decimal scheme, supplement the 
decimal arrangement with additional material and 
cross-reference sheets to documents located 
elsewhere in the series. Particularly useful are 
the files relating to the activation and training of 
specific armies, corps, and divisions prior to 
overseas commitment. These early unit records 
complement the operational unit records de¬ 
scribed in chapters XI and XII. The project files 
also provide significant data concerning the AGF 
training commands and centers (that for the 
Desert Training Center is filed under "Califor¬ 
nia-Arizona Maneuver Area"). 

III. 125 Army Ground Forces movement 
orders with related correspondence, 1942-45 
(98 ft.), arranged numerically by shipment 
number (0002-0994), constitute a separate series 
within the AG section's records. Although the 
records do pertain to transfers of units, the bulk 
of the material concerns shortages and shipments 
of specific items of equipment for individual 
units. Personnel movement orders, 1943-45 (17 
ft.), arranged according to an alpha-numeric 


Record Group 337 

coded shipment order system, primarily relate to 
the movement of replacements rather than units. 
A separate collection of AG record copies of 
AGF letters, January 1943-December 1946 (4 
ft.), arranged chronologically, provides a se¬ 
quential arrangement of the directives and orders 
issued by AGF for the activation and movement 
of specific units. 

III. 126 The AG Section's records also 
incorporate the largest body of extant records of 
GHQ, U.S. Army, 1940-42, whose activities and 
other records are described in chapter I. The 
most significant collection of material is found in 
the decimal correspondence file of General 
Headquarters, United States Army, 1940-42 
(104 ft.). Arranged in two subseries (a War 
Department decimal arrangement followed by a 
much larger collection of project (subject) deci¬ 
mal files), these records constitute the principal 
administrative and operational files maintained 
by GHQ, USA, during its brief existence. 
Within decimal classification 319.1 are GHQ's 
morning reports, October 1940-December 1941; 
daily reports of the G-2 Section, December 
1941-March 1942; daily summaries of the G-3 
Section, December 1941-March 1942; and 
weekly summaries of activities of subordinate 
field commands, February-December 1941. The 
GHQ Diary, June 23, 1941-March 4, 1942, is 
located in file 314.81; GHQ staff conferences, 
July 1941-February 1942, can be found in file 
337. GHQ’s radio message files, arranged by 
corresponding command, are in classification 
311.23. Files 300.4 through 300.6 contain the 
general and special orders, bulletins, and memo¬ 
randums issued by GHQ. 

III. 127 As with the preceding series, 
classifications 320.2 and 353 furnish extensive 
data regarding the organization, strength, and 
training of U.S. Army units, although the focus 
here concerns the 1940-41 period. Classifications 
324.71 and 325 document the integration of 
Selective Service draftees and National Guard 
units, respectively, into the expanding Army. 
Considerable information regarding the mobiliza¬ 
tion and deployment of units under operative war 


109 


Record Group 337 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


plans, including the movement of troops to 
Iceland and the Caribbean in 1940-41, is located 
under classification 381. 

III. 128 The project decimal file subseries 
(65 ft.) is arranged alphabetically by name of 
geographic area or command and thereunder 
according to the decimal scheme, followed by 
separate entries for armies, corps, and divisions, 
each arranged numerically by unit designation. 
The subseries is particularly valuable for records 
of the earliest U.S. Army operational commands 
established during the war. The Bermuda, 
Greenland, Iceland, Newfoundland, and Trinidad 
Base Commands, the Eastern and Western 
Defense Commands, and the Panama Canal and 
Puerto Rican Departments are especially well 
documented, often by periodic reports of the G-l 
through G-4 staff sections under decimal classifi¬ 
cation 319.1 for each command. Iceland Base 
Command files also describe negotiations be¬ 
tween Icelandic government and U.S. military 
representatives over questions of sovereignty. 
Considerable data concerning the initial move¬ 
ment and establishment of Army units in Austra¬ 
lia and (northern) Ireland in 1942 is located 
under those geographic entries. There is, howev¬ 
er, very little material concerning the Philippine 
Department. 

III. 129 Several small series of records, 
nearly all for the period 1940-March 1942, are 
available for individual headquarters staff sec¬ 
tions of GHQ, U.S. Army. These include the 
Secretary General Staff journal file, August 
1941-March 1942 (1 ft.); separate decimal and 
subject files of the G-l Section (each 6 ft.); a 
G-2 Section subject file (3 ft.), arranged alpha¬ 
betically, most interesting for its "combat esti¬ 
mates" and "political estimates" of different 
powers; a G-3 Section subject file (7 ft.), also 
arranged alphabetically, principally concerned 
with Army maneuvers; an Aviation Section 
subject file (1 ft.), including the day journals of 
the section, December 1941-March 1942; and 
separate subject files for the G-4, Coast Artil¬ 
lery, Quartermaster, and Signal Sections (total¬ 
ing 2 ft.), each arranged alphabetically. 


III. 130 AG Section records also include 
four series of statistical reports and tabulations, 
1942-46, totaling 19 ft. The data covers the 
strength of training formations, the availability 
and movement of replacements, and the classifi¬ 
cation of trainees while under AGF authority. 
Some reports pertain specifically to the training 
and employment of African-American service¬ 
men. A fifth series of strength reports, 1942-43 
(4 ft.), arranged chronologically in monthly 
reports for December 1942, March-December 
1943, and July 1944-May 1946, systematically 
detail the authorized and actual strengths of 
specific commands and units under AGF authori¬ 
ty. The reports are in the form of oversize, 
machine-generated tabulations. 

III. 131 Closely related to these statistical 
materials are the Ground Statistics Section's 
strength tabulations, 1942-48 (9 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by title of report or by subject. 
These also consist of oversize, machine-generat¬ 
ed reports that mostly list the strengths and 
locations of units under AGF command, 1943- 
46. Included, however, are tabulations of battle 
casualties suffered in all theaters and of African- 
Americans serving in AGF units (filed under 
"Negro Personnel" and "Negro Units"). 

III. 132 The remaining records of Head¬ 
quarters AGF for the period March 1942- 
September 1945 are arranged by headquarters 
staff section. The Chief of Staff journals, 
March 1942-September 1945 (1 ft.), arranged 
chronologically, provide a daily record of AGF 
headquarters activities, discussions, and policy 
determinations, as well as extensive data on the 
assignments and transfers of staff officers. 

III. 133 Wartime records of the G-l Sec¬ 
tion are fragmentary; most relevant documen¬ 
tation appears scattered among the central files 
maintained by the AG Section. An exception is 
the G-l Section Miscellaneous Division subject 
correspondence file, 1942-45 (3 ft.), generally 
arranged alphabetically, which largely pertains to 
replacement training. 

III. 134 The most significant wartime 
records of the G-2 Section consist of intelligence 


110 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 337 


reports, 1943-46 (5 fit.), arranged numerically 
by report number (1-717). This is the most 
complete collection of AGF overseas' observers 
reports, many of which are described earlier in 
this section. They include observations on U.S. 
Army tactics, equipment, weapons, and organi¬ 
zation under the specific combat conditions of 
Europe and the Pacific. A number of reports 
reproduce field unit operational records de¬ 
scribed in chapters XI and XII. Also included 
are British reports, intelligence notes, and inter¬ 
rogations regarding British, German, and Japa¬ 
nese weapons, equipment, tactics, and organiza¬ 
tion. A listing of the report numbers, titles, 
originators, and dates is filed at the beginning of 
the series. 

III. 135 G-2 Section records also include a 

subject correspondence file, 1942-45 (6 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically. Much of the material 
relates to intelligence training, but four folders 
under entry "NATO" contain extensive observa¬ 
tions on combat experiences and lessons for 
North Africa and Italy beyond that found in the 
preceding intelligence reports. Included are such 
items as an analysis of casualties suffered by the 
3rd U.S. Infantry Division in Italy and studies of 
artillery ammunition expenditure, together with 
an apparently misfiled survey of members of the 
162nd Infantry Regiment (43rd Infantry Divi¬ 
sion) regarding combat experiences on New 
Guinea, 1943. 

III. 136 Records of the G-3 Section are 
extensive, reflecting that staff section's key 
responsibility for organizational and training 
functions within Headquarters AGF. The deci¬ 
mal correspondence file, 1942-50 (26 ft.), 
arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, provides considerable organiza¬ 
tional data (320.2) and information on maneu¬ 
vers (354.2). Also, file 210.684 includes numer¬ 
ous reports of overseas observers (including 
Gen. George S. Patton) on the efficacy of Amer¬ 
ican equipment, organization, and weaponry. 
The subject correspondence file, 1942-49 (9 
ft.), arranged alphabetically, includes data on 
preparations for amphibious landings (files 


"Amphibious Training" and "Conference on 
Landing Assaults"), the coordination of tactical 
air support ("Observer Reports on Air-Ground 
Cooperation"), and an account of the fighting on 
Bataan, 1941-42 ("War Operations File"). 

III. 137 Most G-3 Section records, orga¬ 
nized according to the subordinate divisions 
within G-3, pertain to combat training and 
training facilities. Especially valuable is the 
Troop Training Division (Combat Arms Branch) 
project file, 1942-46 (9 ft.), arranged according 
to service branch (e.g., air and airborne, ar¬ 
mored and cavalry, field artillery, infantry) and 
thereunder alphabetically by subject or by type 
of record. Strongly reflecting the 1944-45 peri¬ 
od, these records particularly detail combat 
lessons learned in air and airborne operations. A 
separate collection of "special projects" at the 
end of the series includes AGF daily bulletins, 
June-December 1944, and reports on mountain, 
desert, and winter training. 

III.138 The Troop Training Division 
(Maneuvers, Special Projects, and Ammunition 
Branch) subject correspondence file, 1942-44 
(12 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, 
furnishes extensive information regarding ma¬ 
neuvers and training centers, especially the 
Desert Training Center. This is supplemented by 
separate series of records regarding specific 
AGF training centers and boards, particularly 
those related to desert warfare. The Desert 
Training Center decimal file, 1942-43 (6 ft.), 
includes transcripts of its headquarters' telephone 
conversations, April 1942-November 1943, and 
Desert Warfare Board reports, August 1942- 
March 1943 (both within classification 319.1); 
extensive data on officer candidate schools (352); 
and combat intelligence training tests (353). 
Desert Training Center histories, 1942-43 (2 
ft.), arranged by subject or by type of record, 
provide both draft studies and source materials. 
The Desert Warfare Board subject file, 1942- 
43 (2 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject or 
title, contains a wealth of information on Ger¬ 
man and British combat organization and tactics, 
April-December 1941 (file "Field Artillery 


111 


Record Group 337 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Intelligence Digests"), and some reports on 
individual types of tanks and tank destroyers 
(files "Reports" and "Tests of Firing Against 
Medium Tanks"). 

III. 139 The Amphibious Training Center 
subject correspondence file, 1940-45 (3 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically, includes a detailed 
history of the center. The Mountain and Winter 
Warfare Board decimal file, 1942-44 (1 ft.), 
furnishes useful data on the tests of equipment 
under extreme environmental conditions (files 
471.6 through 472.4). The same Board's subject 
file, 1942-44 (5 ft.), arranged alphabetically, 
includes an extensive collection of photographs 
pertaining to the Mountain and Winter Warfare 
Training Center and translations of intelligence 
reports on Finnish, German, Swedish, and Swiss 
experiences in these areas. 

III.140 The Troop Training Division 
(Maneuvers, Special Projects, and Ammunition 
Branch) records also include a special "Sphinx 
Project" subject file, 1942-45 (9 ft.). Arranged 
alphabetically, this series relates to extensive 
tests of weapons, equipment, and tactics in 
attacking Japanese fortified positions (including 
caves); the tests were carried out by separate 
AGF components (e.g., Armored Board, Infan¬ 
try School, Tank Destroyer Center). The accu¬ 
mulated data is located in file "Summary of 
Results and Tests of Sphinx Project"; the series 
also includes numerous photographs and some 
original rock specimens. 

III. 141 Records of the Training Division 
(Replacement Training Branch) include inspec¬ 
tion reports, 1942-44 (3 ft.), arranged alphabet¬ 
ically by camp name, that evaluate replacement 
training programs in each camp; and training 
reports, 1943 (2 ft.), arranged by camp or 
installation, that furnish statistical data on the 
training status of replacement personnel. 

III. 142 The Training Publications and Aids 
Division's decimal file, 1942-48 (33 ft.), is most 
relevant for recommended revisions and pro¬ 
posed additions to Army field and technical 
manuals (classification 461, thereunder arranged 
by field or technical manual number). Additional 


observations of combat experiences are located 
in classifications 210.684 and 319.1; the latter 
also includes some materials of foreign origin, in 
particular an untranslated 1943 Finnish manual 
on the use of land mines in winter conditions. 
The same division's subject file, 1942-46 (4 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically, contains a greater 
quantity of observations of "lessons learned" in 
combat. These are generally organized by branch 
of service (e.g., "airborne," "amphibious," 
"armored"), although useful information is also 
filed under "Intelligence." The "Infantry" file 
includes a lengthy report on the operations of the 
5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also 
known as "Merrill's Marauders," in northern 
Burma, 1944. 

III. 143 Additional G-3 Section records 
include the New Divisions Division activation 
directives, 1942-43 (3 ft.), arranged chronologi¬ 
cally by month, which comprise charts and 
tables for the activation of specific divisions, 
combined with extensive documentation of 
training schedules, combat exercises, and the 
classification of recruits according to skills and 
previous employment. The Schools Division's 
formerly classified decimal file, 1942-48 (8 
ft.), contains useful observers' reports on the 
performance and problems of infantry replace¬ 
ments in Europe and the Pacific, 1943-45 (file 
333.1). The series also documents instruction 
and training courses for replacement personnel at 
the AGF's Field Artillery and Infantry Schools 
(classification 352, thereunder arranged alphabet¬ 
ically by name of school or by specialized 
category of training). 

III. 144 The Organization and Equipment 
Division's decimal correspondence file, 1943- 
48 (7 ft.), is particularly useful for information 
on recommended changes in unit tables of 
organization and equipment during the war 
(classification 320.3). The same division's 
subject correspondence file, 1943-46 (14 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically, details recommended 
changes in unit tables of organization and equip¬ 
ment in light of combat experiences. 


112 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 337 


III. 145 Records of the G-4 Section docu¬ 
ment logistical aspects of AGF's functions. Most 
significant is the subject correspondence file, 
1941-46 (26 ft.), arranged alphabetically, with 
extensive information on equipping of specific 
army and division commands prior to overseas 
transfer (files "POM-Preparation for Overseas 
Movement," "Task Force Division, G-4," and 
"Reports"). The series also contains inspection 
reports concerning available stocks of equipment 
and supplies at specific training facilities, 1943- 
45 (file "Inspections"), a collection of photo¬ 
graphs of amphibious equipment used in the 
invasion of Sicily, 1943 (file "Operation HUS¬ 
KY"), and extensive data on equipment and 
supply needs of the 45th Infantry Division 
("Divisions"). Less relevant because of its 
postwar emphasis is the formerly classified 
decimal correspondence file, 1944-47 (19 ft.), 
arranged into 1944-46 and 1947 subseries and 
thereunder according to the War Department 
decimal scheme; file 334 in the 1944-46 subse¬ 
ries, however, furnishes some wartime materials 
of the Equipment Review Board. 

III. 146 Records of Headquarters AGF's 
specialized staff sections relate for the most part 
to equipment and supply issues. The most im¬ 
portant records are those of the Requirements 
Section, divided among several series. It's 
decimal correspondence file, 1941-45 (8 ft.), 
contains useful information on equipment needs 
for military vehicles (classifications 451 through 
451.94) and tanks (classification 470.8). The 
Development Division decimal correspondence 
file, 1942-46 (5 ft.), provides extensive data on 
tests and requirements of artillery (classifications 
473 through 473.61), in addition to numerous 
observations on combat experiences of American 
forces, particularly for the 1942-43 period 
(classification 319.1). Included among the latter 
are after-action reports of the New Zealand 
Division's operations in North Africa, November 
1941-October 1942. 

III. 147 The Development Division's 
chronological file, 1941-44 (6 ft.), is a corre¬ 
spondence file of divided nature. For the period 


May 26, 1941-March 11, 1942, the correspon¬ 
dence represents the office file of Maj. (later Lt. 
Col.) R. M. Montague of the War Department 
General Staff's G-3 Division (Planning Branch), 
much of which concerns anticipated weapons and 
equipment needs for the prewar Army. From 
mid-March 1942 through October 1944 the 
correspondence apparently consists of copies of 
correspondence of the Army Service Forces' 
(ASF) Requirements and Stock Control Division, 
forwarded for retention to AGF's Requirements 
Section. Primarily concerned with specific 
equipment needs and requests, most of the latter 
correspondence includes alphabetically arranged 
subject indexes at the beginning of each folder. 
Closely related is Development Division status 
of equipment correspondence, 1943-45 (2 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically by branch of service 
(e.g., Chemical, Engineers, Ordnance) and 
thereunder chronologically, consisting of addi¬ 
tional ASF correspondence on specific requests, 
revisions, tests, and available stocks of equip¬ 
ment items. 

III. 148 The Requirements Section also 
maintained separate series of correspondence 
files, each arranged according to the War De¬ 
partment decimal scheme for the period 1942-45, 
for the individual combat branches. The specific 
branches and the volume of records for each are: 
Airborne (1 ft.), Armored Vehicle (2 ft.). 
Cavalry (2 ft ), Coast Artillery (9 ft.), Field 
Artillery (8 ft.), and Infantry (10 ft.). The 
Coast Artillery correspondence incorporates 
extensive material regarding antiaircraft artillery. 
Every series includes information on specific 
requirements, revisions, and stocks of weapons 
and equipment. File classification 319.1, in both 
the Coast Artillery and Field Artillery series, 
includes technical intelligence regarding enemy 
artillery and "U.K. Artillery Notes," summariz¬ 
ing lessons learned by British artillery in the 
European and Asiatic theaters. The Infantry 
Branch series furnishes data on weapons tests 
and characteristics of machine guns, submachine 
guns, and light artillery pieces (classification 
472); ammunition (classification 471); and rifles 


113 


Record Group 337 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


and carbines (474); file 381/9583 within the 
series documents the daily ammunition expendi¬ 
ture allowance ("Day of Supply") for each 
theater of operations in Europe and in the Pacif¬ 
ic. 

III. 149 Among the records of other special 
staff sections, the Development and Testing 
Section decimal correspondence file, 1942-50 
(21 ft.), consists for the most part of postwar 
materials, but includes information on wartime 
tests of weapons (classifications 471 through 
472) and radio equipment (413.44); observations 
on combat experiences concerning armored 
vehicles and German artillery (319.1); and 
design data for dummy tanks, vehicles, and 
airfields in deception operations (384.6). These 
records have not yet been systematically re¬ 
viewed for declassification. Questions of access 
to, and information about, these records should 
be referred to the appropriate custodial unit. 

III. 150 Records of the Budget and Fiscal 
Section document fiscal aspects of AGF's 
operations. The decimal correspondence file, 
1941-49 (6 ft.), largely pertains to postwar 
expenses but includes personnel data on AGF 
finance officers (classification 201) and useful 
information on the establishment of training 
centers and the planning of courses of instruction 
for officers (classification 352). The section's 
subject correspondence file, 1941-50 (3 ft.), 
arranged alphabetically, details operating budgets 
for specific training centers and commands for 
the 1942-44 period. A separate fund file, 1942- 
46 (7 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject, 
provides the same information for the 1945-46 
period. The latter series also furnishes useful 
budgetary information for such special services 
as chemical warfare and signal units within 
AGF. 

III. 151 The Inspector General's Section 
site board reports, 1941-44 (2 ft.), arranged 
alphabetically by State, summarize the investiga¬ 
tions of possible sites for AGF training camps 
and replacement centers, primarily in southern 
and midwestem states. 


III. 152 Records of the Information Section 
concern public relations activities of Headquar¬ 
ters AGF, including speeches by senior AGF 
officers, radio programs, concerts, newspaper 
and magazine articles, campaigns in support of 
war bonds and loans, and participation in such 
civic functions as parades. These activities are 
documented in a formerly classified decimal 
correspondence file, 1941-48 (4 ft.); a subject 
file, 1940-48 (1 ft.); a numerical file, 1942-43 
(3 ft.); "Here's Your Infantry" decimal and 
subject files, 1944-45 and 1942-45 (1 and 3 ft., 
respectively); and the "6th and 7th War Loan 
Drive" files, 1944-45 (2 ft.). The numerical file 
includes speeches, interviews, and annotated 
materials of General McNair, 1942-43 (files 3a 
through 3d). 

III. 153 A separate series of press re¬ 
leases, 1943-45 (9 ft.), consists of descriptions 
of decorations and medals won by individual 
soldiers and accounts of individual experiences 
in combat, principally for operations in the 
European theater. The number of soldiers named 
in the press releases is extensive. 

III. 154 The Historical Section's records 
provide little beyond historical materials avail¬ 
able elsewhere in AGF records. The manuscript 
file "History of AGF," 1942-45 (10 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged by study number (nos. 1-38), consists of 
drafts and notes of the historical monographs 
described earlier in this chapter (in the AG 
Section's formerly confidential, secret, and 
unclassified decimal correspondence files, 1940- 
54, classification 314.7). The manuscript file 
"AGF Studies," 1945-48 (16 ft.), also arranged 
by study number (nos. 1-22), pertains to separate 
studies of AGF's postwar activities. Study No. 
16, however, does provide a summary chronolo¬ 
gy of the AGF, 1940-46. A chronological 
correspondence file, 1941-45 (3 ft.), documents 
the section's activities in preparing the studies. 

III. 155 For the Engineer Section, the only 
series of available records consists of a decimal 
correspondence file, 1944-50 (32 ft.), divided 
into several chronological subseries and thereun- 


114 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 337 


der arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. The 1944-46 subseries contains 
numerous combat observations regarding engi¬ 
neer equipment (e.g., Bailey bridges) and opera¬ 
tions in both the European and Pacific theaters 
within classification 319.1; the same classifica¬ 
tion also includes observations on combat experi¬ 
ences in general for all Army forces. 

III. 156 Medical Section records repeat this 
pattern in the formerly confidential and secret 
decimal correspondence file, 1941-48 (13 ft.), 
also arranged into chronological subseries and 
thereunder according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. Classification 319.1 in the 
1941-45 subseries contains both general observa¬ 
tions on combat experiences and specific reports 
concerning medical aspects (e.g., an analysis of 
battle casualties suffered by the 3rd U.S. Infan¬ 
try Division at Anzio, January 1944). Data 
regarding neuropsychiatric and combat fatigue 
casualties and conditions for all theaters of 
operations are located in classifications 319.1 
and 710.4. The unclassified decimal correspon¬ 
dence file, 1941-48 (31 ft.), arranged in the 
same manner as the preceding series, includes 
the proceedings of a conference of senior Army 
medical officers on conditions in the Pacific 
theater, 1945 (classification 337); a three-volume 
study of the Fifth Army's hospital battle casualty 
deaths in Italy, 1944-45 (classification 704); and 
additional data on neuropsychiatric cases (710.4) 
in the 1945 subseries. 

III. 157 A separate series of Armored 
Force Medical Research Laboratory correspon¬ 
dence and reports, 1942-45 (1 ft.), generally 
arranged chronologically, provides specific 
studies of medical aspects of tank warfare (e.g., 
heat, cold, desert conditions, noise levels, fume 
hazards). 

III. 158 The Chemical Section's formerly 
classified decimal correspondence file, 1942-48 
(6 ft.), extensively documents training in the use 
of chemical weapons and equipment (classifi¬ 
cation 353) and includes numerous intelligence 
and information bulletins on the German, Japa¬ 
nese, and American use of chemical weapons 


(e.g., flamethrowers, smoke grenades) in combat 
(classification 461). Some information on re¬ 
search and development of chemical weapons is 
located in classification 319.1. 

III. 159 Within the Ordnance Section's 
decimal correspondence file, 1944-48 (14 ft.), 
divided into three chronological subseries, the 
1944-45 subseries contains numerous inspection 
reports of AGF training facilities regarding 
recruits' use, expertise, and maintenance of 
rifles, artillery, tanks, and other weapons (classi¬ 
fication 333). 

III. 160 Extant wartime records of the 
Quartermaster Section are divided between two 
series. The formerly classified decimal corre¬ 
spondence file, 1944-47 (3 ft.), is organized into 
chronological subseries (1944, 1945, and 1946- 
47) and thereunder arranged according to the 
War Department decimal scheme. File 319 in the 
1944 subseries includes numerous observations 
regarding American combat experiences, includ¬ 
ing a survey of officers of the 162nd Infantry 
Regiment regarding their experiences on New 
Guinea, June-September 1943. Within the 1945 
subseries, file 353 provides status reports for all 
Quartermaster units shipped overseas, January- 
June 1945. A separate journal file, June 1941- 
December 1945 (2 ft.), arranged chronological¬ 
ly, notes significant activities, orders, messages, 
and the specific actions taken by the section on 
a daily basis. The daily entries for the period 
June 26, 1941-March 8, 1942 are those of the 
Quartermaster Section of General Headquarters, 
U.S. Army. 

III. 161 Headquarters AGF records also 
incorporate materials of the Infantry and Field 
Artillery Boards, dating from the period when 
these served under the Chiefs of Infantry and 
Field Artillery, respectively. Infantry Board 
reports, 1916-50 (55 ft.), are arranged by report 
number (1-2364), corresponding to a chronologi¬ 
cal arrangement. Each report pertains to a test or 
study of a particular item of equipment or 
weapon (including ammunition, vehicles, tanks, 
and artillery pieces), and usually includes photo¬ 
graphs. Together they constitute an invaluable 


115 


Record Group 337 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


source of data on wartime equipment and weap¬ 
onry used by the Army. Report numbers 1178 
through 1905 cover the period January 1941 
through September 1945. A folder list is provid¬ 
ed at the beginning of the series. 

III. 162 Artillery Board reports, 1940-45 
(6 ft.), are arranged by year and thereunder 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. Most concern tests of artillery pieces 
and ammunition, but 1944 file 320.3 documents 
changes in the tables of organization and equip¬ 
ment for field artillery units throughout the 
1940-44 period. Classification 300.7 within each 
year includes manuals on firing procedures for 
various artillery pieces. At the end of the series 
is a collection of radio messages received by the 
Armored Force Center, April 1942-August 1945. 

Related Records 

III.163 Records of the Chiefs of Arms, 
RG 177, document the activities of the predeces¬ 
sors of Headquarters, Army Ground Forces in 
organizing and training Army units; these re¬ 
cords are described in this chapter. Documenta¬ 
tion of prewar and early wartime training and 
maneuvers are located among the Records of 
U.S. Army Continental Commands, 1920-42, 
RG 394, described in chapter V. Records of 
operational commands (e.g., Second U.S. Army, 
IX Corps) and specialized training centers and 
schools located among the Records, of U.S. 
Army Commands, 1942- , RG 338, are de¬ 
scribed in this chapter. 

III. 164 The personal papers of Maj. Gen. 
Andrew D. Bruce, who commanded the Tank 
Destroyer Center at Ft. George Meade and later 
at Ft. Hood, are located among the Military 
History Research Collection at the Military 
History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, PA. Most of 
Bruce's papers relate to the establishment and 
operation of the Tank Destroyer Center, 1941- 
43. 

III. 165 The recruiting, training, and 
organizing of noncombat troops for overseas 
duty and the basic training of troops destined for 


ground-combat training in the Army Ground 
Forces were the responsibility of the Office of 
the Director of Military Training, Army Service 
Forces, the records for which (in RG 160) are 
also described in this chapter. The records of 
field commands activated by AGF and trans¬ 
ferred to overseas duty are divided between 
Records of the Adjutant General's Office, RG 
407, and several record groups of various the¬ 
aters of operations, described in chapters XI- 
XIII. 


RG 338 RECORDS OF U.S. ARMY 
COMMANDS, 1942- 

III. 166 Records of U.S. Army commands 
in the American theater of operations, described 
for the most part in chapter V, include records 
of a number of training commands and centers. 
A part of RG 338, Records of U.S. Army 
Commands, 1942- , these records are very 

closely related to those of Headquarters, Army 
Ground Forces, RG 337, described earlier in this 
chapter. 

Second Army 

III.167 Headquarters, Second United 
States Army was constituted in August 1932 as 
one of four field armies in the continental United 
States. Activated in Chicago, IL, in October 
1933 from units and headquarters personnel of 
the Fifth and Sixth Corps Areas, Second Army 
existed operationally only during maneuvers until 
October 1940, when the command became 
independent and permanent. Throughout the war, 
Second Army served as a training command for 
field forces destined for overseas operations; at 
war's end, it became responsible for the demobi¬ 
lization of units and the training of personnel for 
occupation duties. 

III. 168 RG 338 records of Headquarters, 
Second Army number approximately 90 ft., 
arranged in 32 series. Most significant is the AG 

Section's general correspondence, 1940-46 (49 


116 




Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 338 


ft.), arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme. Training activities are docu¬ 
mented in classification 353, thereunder arranged 
by year; for example, file 353 1943 includes 
reports on a major field exercise of the 101st 
Airborne Division, on training in operations 
against permanent land fortifications, and on air- 
ground support field exercises, as well as photo 
albums of the Second Army's mine school and 
infiltration course. The series also includes 
numerous combat experience reports regarding 
actions against German and Japanese forces, 
including comparative observations on weapons, 
equipment, tactics, and fighting qualities, Janu¬ 
ary 1943-July 1945 (314.8); data on the activa¬ 
tion and status of units (319.1, 322); and investi¬ 
gations by the Inspector General's Section into 
alleged misconduct, unsatisfactory maintenance 
and ordnance practices, and accidents (333.5). 
The last also includes an investigation into a 
racial disturbance involving African-American 
personnel of the 3714th Quartermaster Truck 
Company, Camp Shelby, MS, October 1944. 

III. 169 Records of the Inspector Gen¬ 
eral, 1941-46 (2 ft.), arranged according to the 
War Department decimal scheme, provides 
additional data on routine inspections and inves¬ 
tigations into readiness conditions of specific 
units. Records of the Quartermaster, 1941-46 
(9 ft.), also arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme, document the 
railroad movement of troops and equipment 
during Army maneuvers in 1941 and 1943-44. 
General correspondence of the Signal Section, 
1945-46 (7 ft.), arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme, includes documen¬ 
tation on the training and preparations for over¬ 
seas movement of individual Signal Corps units 
(classification 353). Twenty-four small series 
pertain to specific headquarters and headquarters 
detachments employed in the organization and 
activation of units and other administrative tasks. 

III. 170 Records of the Maneuver 
Director's Headquarters, 1943-44 (1 ft.), 
arranged by subject or by type of record, furnish 
additional documentation of the Second Army’s 


1943 maneuvers in Tennessee. Noteworthy is an 
extensive file on the Second Army Ranger 
School, with instruction schedules and illustra¬ 
tions relating to camouflage, infiltration and 
sniping, patrols and ambushes, the construction 
and passing of wire entanglements, stream 
crossings, and other specialized training charac¬ 
teristic of special forces. 

III.171 Additional records of the Second 
Army relating to maneuvers and mobilization 
during the 1939-42 period are located among the 
records of the Fifth and Sixth Corps Areas, RG 
394, described in this chapter. Other Second 
Army records for this period, together with 
related records of the U.S. Fourth Army, which 
performed similar training missions in the west¬ 
ern United States, are described with the remain¬ 
ing RG 338 records in chapter V. 

Corps 

III. 172 Corps organizations represented 
combinations of two or more divisions with 
appropriate nonorganic combat and noncombat 
units to perform combat missions. The corps 
headquarters, unrelated to the Corps Areas of the 
prewar era, were activated in the United States 
and carried out training activities prior to their 
movement overseas. For nine corps headquar¬ 
ters, records pertinent to administrative and 
training activities in the U.S. are located in RG 
338. As the records have not been systematically 
arranged or described, only general descriptions 
for each corps' holdings are provided. 

III.173 Records of Headquarters, VI 
Corps, consist of 1 ft. of transportation records, 
letter orders, vouchers, and travel requests, 
1942-43. Headquarters, IX Corps records com¬ 
prise approximately 46 ft. for the 1940-45 
period, the largest collection for any corps. The 
records consist of general and special orders, 
training and maneuver memorandums and bulle¬ 
tins, and other issuances; the AG Section general 
correspondence file; and correspondence, re¬ 
ports, rosters, and issuances of the Headquarters 
Battery, IX Corps Artillery. Some of the docu- 


117 



Record Group 338 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


mentation pertains to the corps’ operations in the 
Philippines as part of the U.S. Eighth Army, 
1945. 

III.174 Records of Headquarters, XI 
Corps, include reports and lists of captured 
Japanese equipment, 1945-46 (3 ft.), and corre¬ 
spondence, travel and special orders, letter 
orders, and court-martial orders, 1943-46 (5 ft.). 
Headquarters, XIII Corps records (4 ft.) consist 
of correspondence, special and travel orders, 
special court-martial records, surveys, vouchers, 
and requests, 1943-45. Headquarters, XVI Corps 
records (2 ft.) comprise letter orders, special 
court-martial records, and building receipts, 
1944-45. For both of these corps, the documen¬ 
tation includes information from operations in 
the European theater. 

III. 175 Records of Headquarters, XXI 
Corps include unit status reports, 1943-44 (2 
ft.), special orders, 1944-45 (1 ft.), and special 
court-martial orders and records, 1941-45 (2 ft.). 
The records of Headquarters, XXII Corps (3 
ft.), relate entirely to special courts-martial, 
1944-45. Headquarters, XXXII Corps records 
(less than 1 ft.) relate to XXXII Corps Artillery, 
1944-45, including general orders, memoran¬ 
dums, and general correspondence. For both the 
XXI and XXII Corps, documentation pertains to 
operations in the European theater. Records of 
Headquarters, XXXVI Corps (1 ft.), comprise 
general correspondence, general orders, and 
other issuances of the AG Section, 1944-45, and 
miscellaneous records of the Artillery Section, 
1944-45. 

Schools. Centers, and Boards 

III.176 RG 338 includes records of Army 
schools, training centers, and boards that com¬ 
plement the records located in RG 337, de¬ 
scribed in this chapter. Both record groups 
should be consulted in identifying records of 
these installations. The RG 338 records are 
arranged alphabetically by name of installation. 
Unless otherwise indicated, records for each 
installation are treated as distinct series; because 


of the fragmentary nature of the records, only 
volumes and general descriptions are provided. 

111.177 Records of Ft. Baker, CA, 1939- 
48 (8 ft.) comprise the research and development 
project files of the Seacoast Service Test Section 
of Army Field Forces Board No. 1, 1939-48. 
Records of Camp Barkley, TX, 1941-44 (1 fit.) 
pertain to medical and Army Service Forces' 
training. Records of Ft. Benjamin Harrison, 
IN, 1924-50 (9 ft.), document instruction and 
training at several Army Finance schools and an 
ASF training center. 

111.178 Records of Ft. Benning, GA, 
1925-51, constitute several series. Records of 
the Ft. Benning Infantry Center, 1925-51 (4 
ft.), include the World War II Infantry School's 
general orders; the publication "Infantry School 
Quarterly," 1925-50; general orders of the 
school's motor pool, and training bulletins of the 
Infantry Replacement Training Center, 1942-43. 
Records of the Ft. Benning Airborne School, 
1942-46 (1 ft.), consist of general orders, 1942- 
46, and programs of instruction, February-July 
1946. 

111.179 Records of Ft. Bliss, TX, 1939-50, 
consist of three series. Post headquarters 
records, 1942-49 (1 ft.), comprise general 
orders, historical reports, and records of the Post 
Planning Board. Records of the Antiaircraft 
Artillery Command, 1941-46 (19 ft.), include 
general orders, training directives and bulletins, 
and general correspondence of the command, in 
addition to general orders and correspondence of 
the Antiaircraft Artillery School, 1944-46, and 
research and development project records of the 
Antiaircraft Artillery Board, 1939-45. Records 
of the Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided 
Missile Center, 1946-50 (7 ft.), mostly pertain 
to this postwar command but include some 
research and development project records from 
as early as 1943. 

III. 180 Records of Camp Carson, CO, 
1942-50 (less than 1 ft.), include general orders 
and a diary for the camp, 1942-47, as well as 
some postwar general orders and histories of the 
Mountain and Winter Warfare School and Train- 


118 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 338 


ing Center, 1946-47. Records of the Desert 
Training Center-Base General Depot, 1942-45 

(1 ft.), consist of historical reports. Records of 
Camp Edwards, MA, 1942-52 (2 ft.), include 
postwar reports and diaries of the camp; general 
orders and other issuances of the Engineer 
Amphibian Command, 1942-43; unit status 
sheets and a training diary of the Antiaircraft 
Artillery Training Center, 1942-44; and periodic 
reports of the general hospital, 1942-46. 

111.181 Records of Camp Hood, jTX, 
include valuable documentation on AGF tank 
destroyer training. Post headquarters records, 
1942-45 (less than 1 ft.), comprise general 
orders and historical reports. Records of the 
Tank Destroyer Center, 1941-46 (23 ft.), 
include the correspondence, training memoran¬ 
dums, and some minutes of meetings of the Tank 
Destroyer Board, 1941-45; lesson outlines, 
programs of instruction, and relevant military 
intelligence reports of the Tank Destroyer 
School, 1940-45; and histories, general orders, 
and other issuances of the Tank Destroyer 
Center, 1941-45. Miscellaneous records of 
other organizations at Camp Hood, 1943-52 (1 
ft.), are fragmentary records for wartime and 
postwar organizations. 

111.182 Records of Ft. Knox, KY, consti¬ 
tute the largest collection (113 ft.) of individual 
post records, most of which pertain to the 
Armored School located at Ft. Knox. Post 
headquarters records, 1939-50 (2 ft.), consist 
of general orders, 1940-50, and research and 
development project files, 1939-40, of the 
Mechanized Cavalry Board. Miscellaneous 
records of other organizations at Ft. Knox, 
1947-50 (3 ft.), relate entirely to postwar facili¬ 
ties. 

III. 183 The 108 feet of records of the 
Armored Center (known as the Armored Force 
from July 1940 to June 1943 and as the Armored 
Command from June 1943 to February 1944) 
constitute a major source of documentation on 
the development of armored warfare in the U.S. 
Army during World War II. Most significant are 
several series of the Armored Board, responsible 


for the testing of tanks, antitank weapons, and 
equipment associated with armored units. The 
Board's general correspondence, 1939-45 (26 
ft.), arranged in two overlapping chronological 
subseries (1939-45 and 1940-43) and thereunder 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme, documents such issues as relations with 
private American companies contracted as 
suppliers (classification 095); prewar maneuvers 
of the I Armored Corps, November 1941 
(354.2); and a joint conference/demonstration of 
infantry-artillery-tank cooperation in attack, Ft. 
Benning, GA, 1944 (311). Classification 470.8 
contains extensive data on tests and characteris¬ 
tics of American tanks, including a handbook on 
the M3 medium tank, February 1941, and the 
report of a ballistics test of the M4A2 medium 
tank, August 1943-June 1944. 

III. 184 The Board's formerly security- 
classified general correspondence, 1943-45 (3 
ft.), arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, documents discussions with 
British and Soviet armor authorities regarding 
problems and defects of American tanks and 
comparative performances of German, Soviet, 
and American tanks (classification 470.8/2). 
Classification 470.71 relates to characteristics of 
flamethrower tanks, including intelligence data 
on the German conversion of a Mark III for this 
purpose. The research and development pro¬ 
ject files, 1939-45 (25 ft.), arranged numerically 
by project file number (1-720, with gaps), 
document tests of specific items of armored 
equipment (e.g., no. 5, tank helmets for crew¬ 
men; no. 127, combat tires for vehicles) or of 
specific vehicles (e.g., no. 58, mechanized flame 
thrower, April-September 1941; no. 367, air¬ 
borne light tank T9E1, December 1942). File 
no. 708 concerns the "Sphinx" Project (weapons 
against Japanese field fortifications, June-Sep- 
tember 1945). There are also 200 unarranged 
photographs, 1942-43, of Armored Center 
projects. 

III. 185 The Center's general records, 
1940-48 (3 ft.), include formerly security-classi¬ 
fied general correspondence, general orders, G-2 


119 


Record Group 338 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Section notes and G-3 Section correspondence. 
Other Armored Center records include miscella¬ 
neous records of the Armored Medical Re¬ 
search Laboratory, 1942-45 (2 ft.), including 
general correspondence and research and devel¬ 
opment project files; miscellaneous records of 
the Armored Replacement Training Center, 
1943-50 (less than 1 ft.), including general 
orders and instructional schedules; miscella¬ 
neous records of the Armored School Admin¬ 
istration Branch, 1940-50 (16 ft.), including 
general orders, general correspondence, and 
armor research reports prepared by committees 
in the officers' advanced course; Armored 
School training literature and publications, 
1941-50 (16 ft.), including program instructions, 
course schedules and instruction programs for 
specific categories of personnel, and drafts of 
field manuals and training circulars; miscella¬ 
neous records of Army Field Forces Board 
No. 2, 1946-50 (15 ft.), mostly comprising 
postwar general correspondence of the successor 
to the Armored Board; and miscellaneous 
records of special troops, 1943-44 (1 ft.), 
consisting of training bulletins and memoran¬ 
dums. 

III. 186 Records of Ft. Leonard Wood, 
MO, 1941-50 (5 ft.), mostly consist of histories 
and other documentation of the ASF Training 
Center located at the installation. In addition, 
records include general orders of the post head¬ 
quarters and a historical report on the POW 
camp located at the post. Records of Ft. Lewis, 
WA, 1941-50 (less than 1 ft.), include general 
orders of post headquarters and general orders of 
the various sections of the ASF Training Center 
located there, 1944-46. 

III.187 Records of Ft. Ord, CA, are most 
significant for a series of records of the Land¬ 
ing Vehicle Board, 1944-45 (4 ft.), including 
research and development project records and 
some general correspondence. There are also 
general orders of the post headquarters, 1940- 
50 (less than 1 ft.), and miscellaneous records 
of the Amphibious Equipment Branch, 1945- 


49 (1 ft.); the latter includes research and 
development project records, 1945-47. 

III. 188 Records of Camp Planche, LA, 
1942-46 (4 ft.), consist of intermixed records of 
the ASF Training Center located there and the 
New Orleans Staging Area. In addition to gener¬ 
al orders, training memorandums, and other 
issuances for both commands, the records in¬ 
clude correspondence and historical data on the 
Womens' Army Corps (WAC) Headquarters 
Detachment stationed in the area, 1944-46. 

III.189 Records of Ft. Riley, KS, 1940- 

50 (2 ft.), pertain mostly to the Cavalry Re¬ 
placement Training Center there, 1941-45, 
including histories and general correspondence of 
the Center, cavalry mobilization training pro¬ 
gram records, and general orders of the First 
and Second Training Regiments. There are also 
scattered records of the Ground General School 
Center, 1946-49, and post headquarters general 
orders, 1941-46. 

III. 190 Records of Ft. Totten, NY, 1940- 

50 (1 ft.), are most important for documentation 
of the Antiaircraft Artillery Command stationed 
there, 1942-44. Included are general orders, 
memorandums, training memorandums, and 
medical and engineer bulletins. Records of 
Camp Tyson, TN, 1941-44 (1 ft.), include 
correspondence, research and development 
project reports, and subject files of the Barrage 
Balloon Training Center, 1941-44. Records of 
the Coast Artillery School, Ft. Winfield Scott, 
CA, 1945 (less than 1 ft.), are fragmentary in 
nature. 

RG 404 RECORDS OF THE U.S. 

MILT ARY ACADEMY 

III. 191 The United States Military Acade¬ 
my (USMA) at West Point, NY, came into 
existence as a result of successive legislation by 
Congress during the period 1794-1812. Since 
that time it has educated and prepared qualified 
cadets as professional Army officers. During 
World War II the USMA operated under the 
general policy and curriculum supervision of the 


120 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 404 


Organization and Training Division, G-3, of the 
War Department General Staff. After 1941 the 
Academy increased the size of its student body 
from 1,800 to 2,400 and shortened its course of 
instruction from four to three years. Aircraft 
pilot training was also introduced, and additional 
land acquired for training purposes. The Army 
also inaugurated a preparatory course for the 
Academy for qualified candidates in the Army 
Specialized Training Program. After the end of 
the war the Academy reverted to its four-year 
program. 

III.192 Then as now, the daily operation 
of the USMA was directed by a Superintendent, 
responsible directly to the Chief of Staff of the 
Army. The Dean of the Academic Board assisted 
the Superintendent in academic matters, and the 
Commandant of Cadets (who also served as head 
of the Department of Tactics) provided similar 
assistance in the military and tactical training of 
cadets. Also subordinate to the Superintendent 
was the Chief of Staff, responsible for logistical, 
fiscal, personnel, administrative, and physical 
maintenance and support of the Academy. 

III. 193 Records of the U.S. Military 
Academy, RG 404, totalling 868 feet for the 
period 1802-1976, are housed in the U.S. Mili¬ 
tary Academy Archives at West Point. Records 
for the World War II period are generally inte¬ 
grated within more comprehensive subgroups 
and series of records. Detailed series descrip¬ 
tions of USMA records are provided in National 
Archives PI 185, Preliminary Inventory of the 
Records of the United States Military Academy 
(Washington, DC, 1976). Only selected series of 
wartime significance are described below. 

III. 194 Among records of the Office of 
the Superintendent, the most significant materi¬ 
als consist of the prewar and wartime annual 
reports, 1871-1975 (2 ft.). Normally prepared in 
June after each academic year, each annual 
report describes conditions regarding personnel, 
courses of study, the academic departments, 
expenditures, athletics, buildings and grounds, 
official visitors, and major events. Often append¬ 
ed are reports of such subordinate offices as the 


Adjutant, Surgeon, Treasurer, Librarian, Quar¬ 
termaster, Dean, and Commandant of Cadets. 

III. 195 Records of the Office of the Dean 
of the Academic Board reflect the decisions and 
recommendations of its temporary and standing 
committees concerning courses, schedules of 
instruction, and changes in institutional facilities. 
The chronologically arranged Academic Board 
proceedings (staff records), 1818-1968 (13 ft.) 
for the wartime years include minutes of Board 
meetings regarding admission policies and 
procedures, changes in textbooks and courses, 
examinations and order-of-merit standings of 
individual cadets, and other matters pertaining to 
the academic curriculum. The minutes of 
meetings of the General Committee, 1922-53 
(4 ft.), arranged chronologically, and the agenda 
of meetings of the General Committee, October 
1938-January 1945 (1 in.), arranged by meeting 
number, document this standing committee's 
recommendations to the Academic Board on 
general administration, tactical instruction, and 
other nonacademic matters. Records of the 
Lecture Committee, 1941-46 (4 in.), arranged 
chronologically by academic year, consist largely 
of correspondence concerning academic lectures 
and topics presented during the war years. 
Records of the Admissions Committee, 1931- 
54 (4 in.), also arranged chronologically by 
academic year, include minutes of committee 
meetings, studies, and correspondence regarding 
admission policies, scholastic aptitude tests and 
entrance examinations, and the readmission of 
ex-cadets. 

III. 196 Records of individual academic 
departments are not extensive for the World War 
II and immediate prewar period. For each 
department there is a collection of organizational 
history and program of instruction files, but with 
the exception of the departments of military art 
and engineering and of economics, government, 
and history, these relate to the postwar era. 
More relevant are cadet grade cards for each 
department, arranged chronologically by year of 
graduation and thereunder alphabetically by 
name of cadet, revealing daily recitation and 


121 


Record Group 404 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


examination marks and cumulative averages for 
individual cadets. 

III.197 Records of the Department of 
Tactics relate to the military instruction and 
training, physical education, and disciplining of 
cadets. General correspondence, 1917-58 (21 
ft.), arranged according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, pertains to all these activities. 
Department issuances, 1920-73 (21 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged chronologically by year and thereunder 
by kind of issuance, include wartime operations 
orders for training trips, administrative and 
training memorandums, strength reports, and 
miscellaneous issuances at Pine Camp and Camp 
Popolopen. The daily bulletin, 1920-73 (12 ft.), 
provided information of immediate or short-term 
interest to cadets and staff officers. Registers of 
punishments administered by battalion and 
regimental boards, January 1933-January 
1946 (4 in.), arranged chronologically, detail 
infractions committed by and disciplinary actions 
against individual cadets. Training schedules, 
1926-40 (3 ft.), arranged chronologically by 
year, thereunder by seasonal period of training, 
and thereunder by class and subject, document 
such tactical training exercises for cadets as 
weapons firing and marksmanship, infantry and 
artillery tactics and drills, the preparation and 
use of topographical maps, signal communica¬ 
tions, and aviation training. 

III. 198 Among records of subordinate 
Department offices, the Office of Physical 
Education's historical files, 1942-58 (2 ft.), 
arranged chronologically, detail the Academy's 
physical training programs during the war. 
Athletic training cards, 1925-46 (15 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged chronologically by class and thereunder 
alphabetically by name of cadet, record the 
physical characteristics and athletic proficiency 
of individual cadets. Two periodicals of the 
Cadet Activities Division, "Bugle Notes," 1907- 
75 (3 ft.), and "The Pointer," 1923-75 (7 fit.), 
both arranged chronologically, were intended to 
foster corps spirit, disseminate news of athletic 
and social events, furnish general information 


about the Academy, and provide a communica¬ 
tions medium with the public. 

III. 199 Administrative and personnel 
issues relating to West Point provide the focus of 
records of the Adjutant General Division. Gen¬ 
eral correspondence, 1917-58 (100 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged according to the War Department decimal 
scheme, covers a wide range of policy and 
personnel matters, including changes in laws and 
policies or decisions affecting the Academy; 
entrance examinations; the academic curriculum; 
the honor system; resignations and discharges of 
cadets; cadet training; extracurricular and social 
events; and the status of buildings, grounds, and 
equipment. Post issuances, 1905-74 (42 ft.), 
arranged chronologically and thereunder by 
issuance type, include printed copies of general, 
special, court-martial, letter, and movement 
orders relating to Academy personnel. The 
regulations governing the Academy and the 
military post of West Point are reproduced in 
bound Regulations for the U.S. Military Acad¬ 
emy (Academic Regulations), 1802-1971 (2 ft.), 
and Post Regulations, 1888-1964 (1 ft.), respec¬ 
tively. Both series are chronologically arranged 
and include subject indexes. Information regard¬ 
ing military, social, athletic, and business 
activities of the USMA was regularly distributed 
through a "Weekly Bulletin," August 1936- 
August 1938 (2 in.), and its successor, the 
"Daily Bulletin," August 1938-December 1974 
(8 ft.). Statistical returns on the numbers of 
personnel present and absent from post for each 
day are provided in the consolidated morning 
reports, September 1871-February 1946 (9 
ft.), and the officers' morning reports, October 
1942-December 1943 (2 in.), both of which are 
arranged chronologically. 

III.200 Personnel data concerning cadets 
is most readily found in personal and school 
history sheets of cadet candidates, 1899-1947 
(32 ft.), arranged chronologically by year of 
candidacy or nomination and thereunder alpha¬ 
betically by name of candidate. These records 
consist of forms completed by cadet candidates 
relating to family and academic background; 


122 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 404 


forms completed for the 1942-47 period also 
include photographs. Additional data on family 
and academic backgrounds for individual cadets 
is provided in the registers of cadet admissions 
(Cadets Admitted Book), 1800-1953 (1 ft.). 
Although the chronologically arranged register 
of graduates, 1802-1962 (1 ft.), identifies each 
graduating cadet's class standing, the most 
complete information on each cadet’s academic 
record is located among the class graduation¬ 
standing cards (Form D), 1904-44 (10 ft.), 
arranged by class year and thereunder alphabeti¬ 
cally by name of cadet. Photo albums of cadet 
classes are available in the Communications- 
Electronics Division's new cadet identification 
photographs, Classes of 1937,1938,1940, and 
1944-58 (3 ft.), arranged chronologically by 
class. Access to all personnel data for the World 
War II period, however, is governed by the 
general restrictions on records less than 75 years 
old containing personal information. 

111.201 Records of the Director of Admis¬ 
sions and Registrar provide additional informa¬ 
tion on the academic performance of cadets. 
Reports of examinations of cadet candidates, 
1901-70 (7 ft.), arranged chronologically by date 
of examination and thereunder by source or 
nature of appointment, furnish the results of 
entrance examinations given each year to cadet 
candidates. Name indexes (alphabetical lists) of 
candidates for each examination for the period 
1905-68 are included. Term-end and year-end 
academic reports, 1942-67 (21 ft.), arranged by 
class and thereunder by class year (first through 
fourth), detail subjects taken and grades earned 
by individual cadets by term (semester) and by 
academic year. 

111.202 Financial data on the operation of 
the USMA during World War II can be found 
among the Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller 
(formerly Academy Fiscal Office) budget esti¬ 
mates for fiscal years 1943-63, 1942-62 (4 ft.), 
arranged chronologically. 

111.203 The Board of Visitors, composed 
of U.S. Congressmen and other appointed 
civilians or retired military figures, regularly 


visits the Academy every June to examine the 
progress and improvement of cadets. The 
Board's annual reports, 1819-1975 (2 ft.), 
arranged chronologically, offer observations on 
the state of morale and discipline, the curriculum 
and instructional methods, and administrative 
and fiscal matters. 

111.204 In August 1933 USMA cadets 
began to receive instruction in Air Corps organi¬ 
zation, equipment, and training. In October 1941 
the War Department completed the acquisition of 
Stewart Field, some 10 miles northwest of West 
Point, for the establishment of a training airfield. 
The facility was designated the Army Air Forces 
Basic-Advanced Flying School in July 1942 and 
continued to provide flight training for cadets 
until June 1946, when it was discontinued. The 
"History of the Army Air Forces Basic-Ad¬ 
vanced Flying School, 1926-45," 1946 (1 ft.), 
constitutes a manuscript history of Stewart Field 
and its activities, accompanied by organizational 
charts, photographs, and orders and memoran¬ 
dums. The airfield's daily information bulletin, 
August 1942-December 1947 (1 ft.), arranged 
chronologically, disseminated personnel an¬ 
nouncements, special instructions, and general 
information and entertainment news to noncadet 
personnel stationed at Stewart Field. 

111.205 Of lesser significance are records 
of quasi-official Academy associations. The 
Association of Graduates' annual reports, 
1870-1941 (3 ft.), and the successor publication 
"Assembly," April 1942-March 1976 (3 ft.), 
both of which are arranged chronologically, 
provide minutes of the annual business meeting 
of the association, information on graduation 
week and alumni activities, and necrologies of 
deceased graduates. Planning and announcements 
of alumni activities were furnished in the "Re¬ 
union Bulletin," 1914-17 and 1923-48 (2 in.), 
arranged chronologically. Information concern¬ 
ing the intercollegiate athletic program at the 
Academy is located among the annual and 
semiannual reports of the Army Athletic 
Association, 1903-10,1914-17,1919, and 1929- 
40 (1 ft.), and the minutes of the meetings of 


123 


Record Group 404 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


the Athletic Board, 1892-1941 (1 ft.), both of 
which are arranged chronologically. 

Related Records 

111.206 Additional records directly related 
to the U.S. Military Academy during the World 
War II period are located among the records of 
the Adjutant General's Office, RG 407. In the 
unclassified central decimal correspondence 
file, 1940-54, the "project" files accompanying 
the 1940-45 subseries contain over three feet of 
records concerning West Point (under "military 
posts and reservations"). Additional, smaller 
quantities of pertinent records are located in the 
formerly confidential and secret decimal 
correspondence file, 1940-54, particularly in the 
"project" files appended to the 1940-42 and 
1943-45 subseries. These RG 407 records are 
more fully described in chapters I and II. 

111.207 Additional information is also 
contained in the holdings of the USMA Library. 
Distinct from the records in the custody of the 
U.S. Military Academy Archives, the library's 
materials include textbooks used in the academic 
departments; records of books recommended for 
purchase, received, and loaned; correspondence 
of publishers, historians, and researchers; replies 
to inquiries; records of library expenditures; 
minutes of the Library Board; and the librarian's 
reports. 

RG 319 RECORDS OF THE ARMY 
STAFF 

Historical Materials 

111.208 Records of the Army Staff, RG 
319, include historical materials concerning the 
wartime organization and activities of the Army 
Ground Forces. Generally collected, prepared, 
or inherited by the Office of the Chief of Mili¬ 
tary History (OCMH), these materials partially 
duplicate records found elsewhere among AGF 
files. 


111.209 Two volumes in the U.S. Army in 
World War II series pertain to AGF activities: 
The Organization of Ground Combat Troops , by 
Kent Roberts Greenfield, Robert R. Palmer, and 
Bell I. Wiley (Washington, DC, 1947), and The 
Procurement and Training of Ground Combat 
Troops , by Robert R. Palmer, Bell I. Wiley, and 
William R. Keast (Washington, DC, 1948). The 
background materials for these volumes (totaling 
2 ft. of records) include draft and final manu¬ 
script copies, review comments by OCMH 
editorial boards, and notes prepared or collected 
in the preparation of the texts. 

111.210 In addition, there is a separate 
collection of historical notes relating to the 
organization and operation of the Army 
Ground Forces, 1942-47 (8 ft.), arranged by 
subject. Apparently prepared or collected by the 
AGF Historical Section, the materials include 
draft histories and historical chronologies of 
Headquarters, Army Ground Forces; a four- 
volume manuscript history of the Tank Destroyer 
Center at Camp Hood, TX, December 1941-May 
1945; original records of General Headquarters 
(GHQ) regarding U.S. Army maneuvers, Sep¬ 
tember 1941, and a GHQ G-l conference, 
December 1-6, 1941; speeches by AGF Com¬ 
manding General Lesley B. McNair; and inter¬ 
views with officers regarding the activities of the 
Desert Training Center, CA, 1944 (folder 
"Interviews and Material"). 

RG 160 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS 
ARMY SERVICE FORCES 

Office of the Director of Military Training 

111.211 The Office of the Director of 
Military Training (ODMT) was established in 
May 1943 to supervise the military training 
programs of Headquarters, Army Service Forc¬ 
es. The ODMT inherited these responsibilities 
from the Organization and Training Division 
(G-3), War Department General Staff, and the 
Training Division, Headquarters, Services of 
Supply. The ODMT assumed primary responsi- 


124 





Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 160 


bility for the recruiting, training, and organizing 
of noncombat troops for overseas duty, and the 
basic training of combat troops destined for later 
training with the Army Ground Forces. 

111.212 The Office and its predecessors 
formulated training policies and doctrines, 
reviewed field and technical manuals and other 
training aids, supervised the preinduction train¬ 
ing of civilians, prescribed courses of study used 
in Reserve Officer Training Corps classes at 
colleges and universities, directed the schools 
and training centers of the Army Service Forces, 
and allocated training ammunition for the use of 
Army commands in the United States. ODMT 
also supervised the Army Specialized Training 
Program (analogous to the Navy's V-12 Pro¬ 
gram) which worked closely with colleges and 
universities to recruit college students and allow 
them to complete academic studies useful to the 
Army (e.g., engineering, medicine) before 
induction. Participation in the program attained 
its peak in 1943, but manpower requirements 
reduced the program's significance in 1944-45. 

111.213 Between May 1943 and August 
1944 the Office's work was performed by two 
major components, the Military Training Divi¬ 
sion and the Army Specialized Training Divi¬ 
sion. Thereafter ODMT's functions were divided 
among the Training Requirements Division, the 
Troop Training Division, and the School Divi¬ 
sion. In June 1946, ODMT was discontinued and 
its functions transferred to the Organization and 
Training Division, General Staff, and to the 
Administrative Services and Technical Services. 

111.214 The records of the Office of the 
Director of Military Training, located among the 
Records of Headquarters, Army Service Forces, 
RG 160, extend over 200 feet, arranged in 13 
series. 

111.215 The most significant ODMT 
material is found in formerly security-classified 
correspondence, 1942-46 (190 ft.), arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. Considerable data regarding the enroll¬ 
ment and participation of individuals within the 
Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) is 


located in classifications 095, 210.31, and 220.3 
through 220.7. Classification 300.7 is the largest 
entry in the series with proposals for new techni¬ 
cal and field manuals and recommended revi¬ 
sions in existing publications for training; addi¬ 
tional training publications are documented in 
classification 461. Historical data and studies on 
the ODMT's activities in general, and the ASTP 
in particular, are located in classification 314.7. 
Data regarding courses of instruction, including 
military instruction for officers (e.g., General 
Staff School, Officer Candidate School) and 
specialized instruction at colleges and universi¬ 
ties under ASTP, is located in classifications 352 
through 352.11 and 353.91. Classification 
413.53 details the use of motion pictures as 
training aids. 

111.216 Classification 319.1 consists of a 
diverse collection of reports on several topics, 
arranged chronologically. Included are statistical 
reports on the training of noncombat troops and 
enrollment in ASTP; observations on combat 
experiences ("lessons learned") in operations 
against German and Japanese forces, including 
operational and technical intelligence on German 
and Japanese weapons, tactics, and equipment; 
interviews and reports regarding the combat 
performance and requirements of overseas 
technical service units (e.g., medical, ordnance, 
signal); and reports of racial tension in the 
United States. 

111.217 Additional information regarding 
the military training and instruction of African- 
Americans and the wartime racial situation in the 
United States can be found in classification 
291.2. Equivalent data on the training and 
instruction of members of the Women's Army 
Corps is located in classification 290. 

111.218 Correspondence relating to the 
Army Specialized Training Program, 1942-46 
(12 fit.), is also arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme. This series details 
the administration of ASTP, including inspection 
reports of ASTP units and facilities at various 
colleges and universities (classification 333.9), 
information on courses of instruction offered in 


125 


Record Group 160 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


different academic disciplines (350), and summa¬ 
ry data on the program's results in general and 
in specific fields (353.9). The last classification 
also includes material regarding the participation 
of African-Americans in the program (file 353.9 
Negro). 

111.219 Formerly security-classified 
histories, reports, and studies relating to the 
Army Specialized Training Program ("Histori¬ 
cal File"), 1942-45 (2 ft.), arranged by subject, 
include a multivolume draft history of ASTP, 
studies of specific ASTP aspects, and correspon¬ 
dence received from college and university 
presidents. Correspondence, histories, reports, 
and studies relating to the training of the 
Women's Army Corps ("Historical File"), 

1942- 45 (3 ft.), arranged by subject, comprise 
reports, charts, and tables on the training and 
instruction of WAC personnel, accompanied by 
histories of WAC training centers and officer 
candidate schools. 

111.220 The Army Specialized Training 
Program is also the subject of records of perti¬ 
nent ODMT subordinate offices. Four series 
(totaling less than 3 ft.) of Army Specialized 
Training Division records include policy direc¬ 
tives, circulars, regulations, and correspondence 
from the 1942-44 period, together with a draft 
history of ASTP written in 1944. Two additional 
series of records (totaling 1 ft.) of the School 
Division consist of letters received from colleges 
and universities regarding the program, and 
questionnaires on the administration of ASTP 
prepared by the numbered service commands 
within the Army Service Forces, both for the 

1943- 45 period. 

111.221 Records of ODMT's Training 
Requirements Division include formerly securi¬ 
ty-classified histories of military training in 
the service commands, 1939-45 (3 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged numerically by service command (Nos. 
1-9), followed by the Military District of Wash¬ 
ington, and thereunder chronologically. For each 
service command, a manuscript history accom¬ 
panied by organizational charts, statistical tables, 
and key directives and other documents summa¬ 


rizes military training activities in the com¬ 
mand's area during the war. Other series of 
Division records (totaling 1 ft.) consist of a 
history of the Training Doctrine Branch, March 
1942-December 1944; a history of the Machine 
Training School of the Adjutant Generals's 
Office, 1945; and letters received by the Ameri¬ 
can Council on Education, November-December 
1943, largely pertaining to the Navy V-12 
Program. 

111.222 Additional records pertaining to 
ODMT and its activities are located elsewhere 
among the records of Headquarters, Army 
Service Forces, particularly among those of the 
Control Division, described in chapter VI. 

The Officer Procurement Service 

111.223 The Officer Procurement Service 
succeeded the Army Specialist Corps (whose 
records, located in RG 107, are described in 
chapter II) in November 1942 in the procure¬ 
ment of qualified officers from civilian life for 
War Department service. Established as a staff 
division under the Chief of Administration 
Services, Services of Supply (after March 1943, 
Army Service Forces), the Officer Procurement 
Service unified and centralized the program for 
obtaining officers with special skills needed by 
Army agencies. Although it did not appoint 
officers, the Service coordinated requests for 
officers, examined the qualifications of potential 
officers, advised the Army regarding reclassifi¬ 
cation of officers and selected enlisted men, and 
assembled general information concerning officer 
needs and utilization in the Army. 

111.224 At the height of its activities the 
Officer Procurement Service operated 37 district 
offices scattered throughout the ASF service 
commands in the United States. In June 1945 the 
Service was discontinued and its remaining 
functions were transferred to the ASF Military 
Personnel Division. 

111.225 The records of the Service are 
described below. Incorporated within these are 
many investigative files and other materials of a 


126 



Records of World War II, Part 1 

privileged nature. Researchers should consult the 
custodial unit for information regarding access to 
and use of these categories of records. 

111.226 General correspondence, 1942-45 
(4 ft.), arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal scheme, includes numerous back¬ 
ground investigations into the character and 
loyalty of individuals considered for appointment 
as officers (classification 201). Classification 
210.1 documents policy guidelines in recom¬ 
mending individuals for appointment as well as 
specific recommendations for individuals in 
specific fields, particularly physicians. Much 
useful data is located in classification 319.1, 
including weekly operations reports for the 
Service, November 1942-July 1945; reports on 
the processing of appointments of physicians, 
dentists, and veterinarians, April 1943-December 
1944; and a copy of the annual report of the 
Service for 1945. Rosters of officers serving 
with the Officer Procurement Service are provid¬ 
ed in classification 330.3. 

111.227 Formerly security-classified 
correspondence, 1942-45 (2 ft.), also arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme, contains a lesser quantity of similar 
material. Classification 319.1 includes numerous 
surveys of officer assignments to technical 
services under the program, annotated with 
comments about work performance or suitability 
of individuals. The same classification also 
contains a study of the attitudes of civilian 
employees of the Officer Procurement Service, 
December 1943. 

111.228 There is also a bound history of 
officer procurement during World War II, 
dated April 1945 (1 ft.), arranged in five vol¬ 
umes. The bulk of the history consists of docu¬ 
mentary appendixes to the narrative history, 
providing key individual directives, samples of 
forms, statistical summaries, administrative and 
policy memorandums, and operating instructions 
and procedures. A listing of the contents appears 
at the beginning of each appendix. 

111.229 Additional records concerning the 
Officer Procurement Service and its activities are 


Record Group 160 

located elsewhere among records of Headquar¬ 
ters, Army Service Forces, particularly among 
those of the Military Personnel Division, de¬ 
scribed below, and those of the Control Divi¬ 
sion, described in chapter VI. The records of its 
predecessor, the Army Specialist Corps, are 
located among Records of the Secretary of War, 
RG 107, described in chapter II. 

Military Personnel Division 

111.230 The Military Personnel Division 
within ASF's Office of the Director of Personnel 
was responsible for formulating plans and poli¬ 
cies relating to all ASF military personnel and, 
in certain respects, to all Army military person¬ 
nel. These functions included the determination 
of manpower requirements, the development of 
personnel procurement programs, the preparation 
for induction and classification systems for new 
personnel, the development of replacement and 
reassignment systems, and general planning for 
discharge policies and procedures. 

111.231 The division's general corre¬ 
spondence, 1942-46 (77 ft.), is organized into 
two subseries, a general file (28 ft.) and a 
project file of the Officer Procurement Service 
(49 ft.), each of which is thereunder arranged 
according to the War Department decimal 
scheme. Both subseries focus on the appointment 
and assignment of officers with particular quali¬ 
fications to perform required logistical functions 
(file classifications 210.1 through 210.48); these 
include policy statements, assessments of specific 
needs for officers, statistics regarding appoint¬ 
ments, and some information regarding individu¬ 
als appointed as officers. Additional information 
is provided regarding officer training (352), 
enrollment in Officer Candidate Schools (classi¬ 
fication 319.1 OCS and 352 OCS), and partici¬ 
pation in Reserve Officer Training Corps pro¬ 
grams (326.2 ROTC). Correspondence and 
minutes of selected meetings of the Joint Army- 
Navy Personnel Board, 1942-46, can be found in 
classification 334. The project file subseries is 
apparently the principal correspondence file for 


127 



Record Group 160 

Service, whose other records are described in 
this section. 

111.232 Other files in the series document 
the overall strength and personnel distribution 
within ASF (classification 320.2 Army Service 
Forces); the organization, recruitment, and 
training of WAC personnel (classifications 320.2 
WAC through 322.5 WAC); the employment of 
German and Italian POWs in the U.S. and 
provisions for the treatment, pay, and discharge 
of repatriated American POWs (383.6); and the 
wearing of uniforms and insignia (421). 

111.233 Three series of formerly classified 
correspondence supplement the general corre¬ 
spondence. Formerly restricted correspon¬ 
dence, 1942-46 (16 ft.), is arranged in two 
subseries according to the War Department 
decimal scheme, 000.-291.2 and 000.-800. 
Larger files are divided into numerical sections; 
e.g., file 383.6-84 documents policies and 
procedures regarding the repatriation and recov¬ 
ery of former American POWs, including some 
names of various British, Dutch, and Canadian 
personnel recovered from Japanese captivity, 
September-October 1945. Formerly confidential 
through secret correspondence, 1942-46 (14 
ft.), is arranged according to the War Depart¬ 
ment decimal scheme. Both series emphasize the 
same subject matter, under the same decimal 
classifications, as that found in the general 
correspondence, except for information concern¬ 
ing uniforms and insignia (unique to the general 
correspondence). 

111.234 Two exceptions are: (1) infor¬ 
mation regarding demobilization planning and 
procedures, 1944-45 (classification 370.1), and 
(2) the nature of material classified under deci¬ 
mal 319.1, Reports. In the formerly restricted 
correspondence, file 319.1-43 includes technical 
intelligence reports received from overseas field 
commands regarding the combat performance of 
weapons and equipment, recommended changes 
in the organization of technical service and 
support units, the role of WAC and nurse units 
in combat theaters, and related topics. Classifi¬ 
cation 319.1 in the confidential through secret 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

correspondence includes extensive data regarding 
battle casualties suffered by various Army com¬ 
mands in all theaters of operations, January 
1944-August 1945. 

111.235 Formerly top secret correspon¬ 
dence, 1942-46 (2 ft.), arranged in two chrono¬ 
logical subseries (August 1942-May 1944 and 
June 1944-May 1946) and thereunder according 
to the War Department decimal scheme, consists 
only of information concerning the assignment 
and transfer of officers and enlisted men (classi¬ 
fications 210.3 and 220.3, respectively) and the 
movement of troops (370.5). 

111.236 Closely related are two series of 
formerly classified "project" (subject) correspon¬ 
dence files. Formerly confidential through 
secret correspondence ("project files"), 1942- 
46 (15 ft.), arranged by geographic designation 
or by subject and thereunder according to the 
War Department decimal scheme, principally 
concerns the assignment or allocation of person¬ 
nel to specific commands (e.g., Alaska, Hawaii, 
Panama, Caribbean Defense Command, Green¬ 
land Base Command); general theaters (e.g., 
European theater of operations, Mediterranean 
theater of operations, India-Burma-China, Pacific 
Ocean Areas, Southwest Pacific Area); or spe¬ 
cialized types of units (e.g., U.S. Army Air 
Forces in the Middle East, Women's Army 
Corps). Generally filed under classification 
200.3, the information pertains to aggregate 
numbers rather than to individuals. The similarly 
arranged formerly top secret correspondence 
("project files"), 1942-46 (2 ft.), includes 
allocation and assignment data for smaller com¬ 
mands, sometimes extending to the names of 
individuals assigned (e.g., the assignment of 
personnel to the U.S. Military Mission to the 
USSR, filed under "Russia"). 

111.237 Additional documentation of the 
Officer Procurement Service can be found in 
correspondence relating to service commands, 
defense commands, and ports of embarkation, 
1942-46 (5 ft.), arranged according to the War 
Department decimal scheme under these three 
groupings. As most of the series concerns the 


128 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

requirements and assignment of technical service 
officers (e.g., medical, signals) to these com¬ 
mands, most material is filed under classifica¬ 
tions 210.3 and 320.2. 

111.238 A useful summary of the Military 
Personnel Division's activities is provided by the 
history of the procurement, distribution, and 
separation of military personnel, 1939-45 (1 
ft.), arranged by these three subjects and there¬ 
under by volume number. For each of these 
subjects, the first volume(s) provides a narrative 
summary of activities, with one or more accom¬ 
panying volumes of pertinent documents, statisti¬ 
cal tables, organizational charts, and maps. 

111.239 More detailed data can be found in 
machine-generated formerly security-classified 
tabulations pertaining to the strength of the 
Army, the number of military personnel on 
duty in Washington, DC, and the number and 
strength of ASF units, 1942-46 (1 ft.), arranged 
by subject and thereunder chronologically. 

111.240 Finally, two series document the 
division's management of Army Ground and 
Service Forces Redistribution Stations, which 
involved the processing of individual personnel 
from overseas for reassignment through specific 
centers, usually in the form of leased resort 
facilities. The collection of reports, studies, site 
surveys, and other records of the coordination 
for redistribution stations relating to the 
establishment and operation of redistribution 
stations, 1944-45 (3 ft.), arranged by subject or 
geographic location, includes pertinent regula¬ 
tions and directives, surveys of hotels and 
country clubs, summaries of activities at redistri¬ 
bution centers, statistical data on personnel 
processed, and a historical report on the overall 
operation of the stations. May 1944-October 
1945. General correspondence of the Coordi¬ 
nator for Redistribution Stations, 1944-45 (2 
ft.), arranged according to a subject-numeric 
classification scheme, complements the former 
series with information (including photographs) 
of similar facilities operated independently by the 
Army Air Forces for its personnel (file Al), 
reports of visits to potential facilities (files B4 


Record Group 160 

through B12), and contracts for leased facilities 
(D6). 

RG 80 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, 
1798-1947 

Navy Manpower Survey Board 

111.241 The General Records of the De¬ 
partment of the Navy include the records of the 
Navy Manpower Survey Board (NMSB), estab¬ 
lished November 12, 1943, to survey all naval 
shore stations to assess the Navy's efficiency in 
utilizing manpower. With Vice Adm. Adolphus 
Andrews serving as the Senior Member, the 
Board established a District Committee for each 
Naval District to review the numbers of Navy, 
Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and civilian person¬ 
nel stationed at all the District's shore establish¬ 
ments. The surveys were carried out by Survey 
Groups, each of which visited an assigned 
number of establishments and reported back to 
the District Committee. The work of the Board 
was completed June 30, 1944. The Board served 
as a counterpart to, and exchanged information 
with, the War Department Manpower Board, 
discussed in this chapter. 

111.242 Roughly 116 feet of records of the 
Board are located in RG 80, organized into 10 
series. Minutes, November 1943-June 1944 
(less than 1ft.), arranged chronologically, detail 
the meetings of the Board. Included with the 
minutes is a copy of the "Historical Report" of 
the Board, summarizing its activities and includ¬ 
ing key directives and documents. Multiple 
copies of the final report to the Secretary of 
the Navy, June 28, 1944 (1 ft.), present the 
Board's findings and recommendations on the 
elimination and retention of establishment staffs; 
the report consists of two parts, the first a 
textual summary and the second a collection of 
statistical tables detailing the Board's recommen¬ 
dations. 

111.243 The majority of the Board's 
records are reports from shore establishments, 


129 



Record Group 80 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


December 1943-May 1944 (93 ft.), arranged by 
serial number (1-2587) in the order in which 
they were received by the Board. A folder for 
each serial number contains personnel survey 
forms from an installation or unit, indicating the 
numbers of officers, enlisted men, and civilians 
"on board," the numbers of the same categories 
recommended for retention by the District 
Survey Group and Survey Committee, the final 
recommendation by the Board, and a numerical 
summary of the recommended increase or de¬ 
crease in each category. Some folders also 
include correspondence exchanged between the 
Board and the station surveyed. The units sur¬ 
veyed extend to such commands as the public 
relations sections of district Coast Guard head¬ 
quarters and Bureau of Aeronautics representa¬ 
tives with private aircraft firms. 

111.244 The index to reports from shore 
establishments, December 1943-May 1944 (4 
ft.), facilitates the use of the above series. These 
card indexes are arranged numerically by naval 
district number (1-15) and thereunder alphabeti¬ 
cally by type of establishment, unit, or activity; 
appended to the naval district indexes are sepa¬ 
rate indexes for naval recruiting and procure¬ 
ment offices and for universities and colleges 
participating in the education and training of 
U.S. Navy officers (the "V-12 Program"). Each 
card not only identifies a specific station or unit 
and its corresponding serial report number, but 
records the recommended statistical changes and 
strength of the unit. 

111.245 Correspondence of members of 
the Board, December 1943-June 1944 (5 ft.), 
is arranged in four subseries, by names of 
members, by Navy Department bureaus, by 
naval districts, and by general subjects. The last 
subseries provides a listing of the serial numbers 
and titles of the reports from shore establish¬ 
ments (file "Log of NMSB Reports") and a 
collection of annotated maps illustrating the 
Board's recommendations for specific stations 
(file "Charts"). Vice Admiral Andrews' outgoing 
correspondence has been segregated as letters 
sent by the Senior Member, December 1943- 


June 1944 (2 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
subject or by correspondent; the majority of this 
correspondence concerns the naval districts, but 
included is significant documentation of the 
Board's relations with the War Department 
Manpower Board. 

111.246 Replies to a questionnaire dated 
December 3, 1943 (3 ft.), arranged by naval 
district, consist of specific stations' and units' 
responses concerning surplus naval officers in 
their complements. The index to replies to 
questionnaire, December 1943 (2 ft.), arranged 
by naval district and thereunder alphabetically by 
name of city, provides both an index to specific 
stations and units and the summary results of the 
questionnaire for each establishment. 

111.247 Machine-generated tabulations of 
personnel strengths and recommended decreases 
are located in statistical data, December 1943- 
June 1944 (5 ft.), and summary sheets of 
personnel lists, undated (1 ft.). Neither of these 
series is arranged. 

Special Assistants to the Assistant Secretary of 

the Navy 

111.248 Two special assistants aided the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the area of 
manpower utilization. The records of Special 
Assistant Joseph W. Barker consist of corre¬ 
spondence and agendas of meetings of the 
War Manpower Commission, March 1942- 
April 1943 (less than 1 ft.). A very small num¬ 
ber of records of Special Assistant Anthony L. 
Michel pertain to the draft deferment status of 
civilian government employees of the Navy 
Department, 1943. 

RG 405 RECORDS OF THE UNITED 
STATES NAVAL ACADEMY 

111.249 The United States Naval Academy 
was established in 1845 at Annapolis, MD, to 
train midshipmen in the professional skills of the 
Navy and to commission them as ensigns upon 
graduation. During the prewar and World War 


130 




Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 405 


II periods the Academy was jointly administered 
through the Bureau of Navigation (redesignated 
the Bureau of Naval Personnel in May 1942) and 
as a flag command through the Severn River 
Naval Command, responsible directly to the 
Chief of Naval Operations. Responsible for the 
general management of the Academy was the 
Superintendent, appointed by the Secretary of the 
Navy; for most of the war (January 1942-August 
1945) Rear Adm. John R. Beardall occupied this 
post. Subordinate to the Superintendent were the 
offices of Commandant of Midshipmen, the 
Academic Board, and the Board of Visitors. 

111.250 During the war over 3,000 naval 
reservists were admitted to the Academy for 
training in order to increase the availability of 
fleet line officers, and the four-year course of 
instruction was accelerated to three years. 

111.251 Accessioned World War II records 
allocated to RG 405, Records of the U.S. Naval 
Academy, are located in the United States Naval 
Academy Archives at Annapolis. 

111.252 Among the records of the Office of 
the Superintendent, the most pertinent is the 
general correspondence ("Superintendent's 
subjective files"), November 1927-December 
1959 (101 ft.), arranged alphabetically by subject 
and thereunder chronologically in 11 major 
groups: Administration; general records of the 
Superintendent; Commandant of Midshipmen; 
midshipmen; education and training; athletics; 
support facilities; buildings, grounds, and athlet¬ 
ic facilities; museums/memorials and exhibits; 
special occasions; and Academy Alumni Associ¬ 
ation. Records filed in the "administration" 
category document activities of inspection and 
investigative boards and the Board of Visitors 
and furnish data on civilian faculty employed at 
the Academy. The "Superintendent's general 
records" include his annual report and corre¬ 
spondence on the establishment of the Postgradu¬ 
ate School at the Academy; "Commandant of 
Midshipmen" records detail medical data and 
physical training information concerning mid¬ 
shipmen. 


111.253 "Midshipmen" records generally 
relate to social activities and organizations at the 
Academy, but include data concerning aptitude 
for the service, aviation training, and financial 
aspects. "Support facilities" records provide 
information on the operations of the Naval Air 
Facility, Naval Station, and the U.S. Naval 
Engineering Experiment Station at Annapolis. 
Graduation ("June Week") and other ceremonial 
activities are documented in the records of 
"special occasions." 

111.254 Several series of issuances of the 
Office of the Superintendent concern policies, 
procedures, and announcements at the Academy. 
Naval Academy orders, 1911-38, and the 
succeeding Naval Academy standing orders, 
1939-53, each of which is arranged chronologi¬ 
cally and thereunder numerically by issuance, 
total less than 1 foot but include directives 
intended as Academy regulations. The similarly 
arranged Naval Academy special orders, 1923- 
75 (2 ft.), deal with such subjects as awards, 
competitions, resignations, deaths, punishments, 
and leave. USNA notices, 1928-71 (3 ft.), 
arranged chronologically, concern less significant 
announcements of lectures, movies, chapel 
services, and athletic events. 

111.255 The published regulations of the 
U.S. Naval Academy, 1847-1981 (3 ft ), ar¬ 
ranged chronologically, detail the rules and 
guidelines governing both the Academy and the 
Brigade of Midshipmen. Separate admission 
regulations and examinations, 1879-1965 (less 
than 1 ft.), prescribe procedures and require¬ 
ments for admission to the Academy. Much of 
the most important data concerning the academic 
curriculum, courses of instruction, faculty 
rosters, practice cruises, and prizes and awards 
is summarized in the following chronologically 
arranged publications: Annual Register of the 
United States Naval Academy, 1858-1981 (4 
ft ); United States Naval Academy Catalog, 
1926-83 (2 ft.); and the Catalogue of United 
States Naval Postgraduate School, 1915-51 (1 
ft.). Information on the faculty is found in two 


131 


Record Group 405 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


of the five series of publications relating to 
faculty and staff, 1916-78 (less than 1 ft.), 
specifically the directory of faculty and staff, 
1916-41, and the policy pamphlet, 1936-67, 
regarding pay, promotion, tenure, and sabbatical 
leave. 

111.256 A subgroup of records relates to 
the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, which 
provided 12 groups of naval reservists roughly 
four months' training each as midshipmen 
between February 1941 and April 1945. Except 
for the first group, reservists received training 
only in engineering duties. Many reservists had 
previously completed instruction and training at 
colleges and universities as part of the V-12 
program, designed to safeguard civilian educa¬ 
tional needs while assuring the Navy a supply of 
potential officers. The reserve midshipmen 
composed the "Reserve Battalion" at the Acade¬ 
my. The School also maintained records of 
training offered at the Academy to classes of the 
Reserve Officers' Training Schools and of V-5 
instructors' classes. 

111.257 General correspondence, 1941-45 

(6 ft.), relating to these activities is arranged in 
two subseries. The first (roughly for the 1941-43 
period) is arranged alphabetically by subject, and 
the second (generally for the 1944-45 period) 
according to the NFM system. The correspon¬ 
dence covers numerous aspects of the organiza¬ 
tion and general functions of the Naval Reserve 
Midshipmen's School, including instructional 
materials. In addition, the records include 
notices and orders issued to the "Reserve Battal¬ 
ion" and to officers and instructors at the school, 
and correspondence concerning the two Reserve 
Officers' Training Schools and V-5 instructors' 
classes. 

111.258 The reservists' appointment and 
health records, February 1941-August 1945 

(27 ft.), are arranged by group or class and 
thereunder alphabetically by initial letter of 
surname. Records for reservists in the first class 
to attend the First Reserve Officers' Training 
School are filed after those for the other mem¬ 
bers of the first class. Included are orders direct¬ 


ing individual reservists to report to the Acade¬ 
my, personal history data sheets, requests for 
assignment of quarters, appointment or commis¬ 
sioning papers, and reports of physical examina¬ 
tions. Some files also include transcripts of 
grades received at the midshipmen's school, 
letters of inquiry from local draft boards, and 
reports of delinquency. 

111.259 Supplementing this series are 
appointment and health records of naval 
reserve officers assigned to the Second Naval 
Reserve Officers' Training School, July 1941 
(less than 1 ft.), arranged alphabetically by 
initial letter of surname. These comprise the 
same materials (orders directing officers to 
report to the Academy, physical examination 
reports, requests for quarters) as noted for the 
other groups and classes. 

111.260 Memorandums, press releases, 
programs for commissioning exercises, and 
other miscellaneous papers, 1941-45 (1 ft.), 
arranged by group or class, also include lists of 
graduates, sample academic and health record 
cards used for each reserve group, orders outlin¬ 
ing drills and recitations, and deficiency lists. 

111.261 Personal history, conduct, and 
aptitude records of the 12th Group of Reserve 
Midshipmen, May-August 1945 (3 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged by designation of company (Company A, 
for midshipmen with surnames beginning with 
letters A-K; Company B, for those with sur¬ 
names beginning with L-Z) and thereunder 
alphabetically, consist of card folders with data 
for members of the cited reserve group at the 
Academy. Card folders include checklist evalua¬ 
tions of appearance, bearing, manners, personal¬ 
ity, and attitude of each midshipman as complet¬ 
ed by an interviewing officer at the Academy, as 
well as "estimate of aptitude" cards prepared by 
Academy officers for each reserve midshipman 
in this group. Also entered on the card folders 
were the marks received during the indoctrina¬ 
tion period and first and second terms of the 
training course in electrical engineering, marine 
engineering, and ordnance. Front and side-view 
photographs are attached to each folder. 


132 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Record Group 405 


111.262 Among records of the Comman¬ 
dant of Midshipmen or Cadets are materials and 
publications used in lectures on naval customs 
and traditions during summer practice cruis¬ 
es, 1940 (less than 1 ft.), arranged by naval 
practice ship (USS Arkansas . USS Texas , and 
USS New York) and thereunder by type of 
document. The publications concern U.S. flags 
and naval customs; subjects of the lectures 
include seagoing language, the shore establish¬ 
ment, the sea establishment and personnel, 
shipboard organization, etiquette of salutes and 
of the flag, and the rendering of honors. 

111.263 Additional records include jour¬ 
nals of the Academic Board ("Minutes of the 
Academic Board," "Academic Journals"), 
1854-1942 (7 ft.), arranged chronologically. In 
addition to minutes of meetings of the Board 
concerning the academic curriculum, these 
records include reports of results of entrance, 
annual, and semiannual examinations; merit and 
deficiency lists; reports of relative standing; 
instruction schedules; and reports, charts, and 
other materials relating to the course of study at 
the Academy. The series includes indexes for the 
1891-1942 period, most by name and subject. 

Related Records 

111.264 In contrast to the records of the 
U.S. Military Academy, personnel data for 
Annapolis midshipmen for the World War II 
period has not yet been accessioned into RG 
405. These remain in the active files of the 
Academy. Personal papers, photographs, and 
other donated materials of interest are maintained 
by both the Naval Academy Museum and the 
Nimitz Library at the Academy; oral histories 
have been collected by the United States Naval 
Institute, also located at the Academy. 

111.265 Related records for the World War 
II period are located among the Records of the 
Bureau of Naval Personnel, RG 24, and the 
General Records of the Department of the Navy, 
RG 80, descriptions of which are provided in 
chapters II and IX, respectively. 


Naval War College 

111.266 The Naval War College, estab¬ 
lished in 1884 at Newport, RI, provided selected 
naval officers advanced instruction in naval and 
military warfare and in international law and 
history. Administered by the Bureau of Naviga¬ 
tion (redesignated the Bureau of Naval Personnel 
in 1942), the College suspended its normal 11- 
month period of instruction during World War II 
but continued a 6-month curriculum of command 
courses for regular Navy officers and preparato¬ 
ry staff courses for Reserve officers. 

111.267 Wartime records of the Naval War 
College have not been accessioned by NARA, 
but are part of the Naval War College Naval 
Historical Collection, maintained at the Naval 
War College, Newport, RI. The historical 
materials within this collection date back to the 
College's founding, and include the archives of 
the College, papers of U.S. Navy officers and 
others relevant to the College or to naval histo¬ 
ry, and a collection of oral histories dealing 
generally with college history and naval warfare. 

111.268 The College archives are arranged 
in record groups and provide documentation of 
the College curriculum and courses of instruc¬ 
tion, faculty presentations, student theses, staff 
studies, and library records. Some records of the 
U.S. Naval Base and the U.S. Naval Station at 
Newport are also included. The manuscript 
collections include the papers of Admiral Ray¬ 
mond A. Spruance, Commander of the U.S. 
Fifth Fleet during World War II. Oral histories 
include interviews conducted by Comdr. Robert 
H. Warren with survivors of the Philippines 
Campaign, 1941-42. 


RG 181 RECORDS OF NAVAL 
DISTRICTS AND SHORE 
ESTABLISHMENTS 

III.269 Primary responsibility for the 
training of U.S. Navy personnel during World 
War II rested with the Bureau of Naval Person- 


133 







Record Group 181 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


nel, RG 24, whose records are described in 
chapter II. The Records of Naval Districts and 
Shore Establishments, RG 181, however, include 
records of naval training stations and schools 
involved in the training of naval personnel. 
These records are in the custody of appropriate 
regional archives branches of the National 
Archives. The extent and arrangement of these 
records varies significantly according to regional 
practice and subsequent disposition by the Navy. 
Records series representative of these holdings 
are described below; more detailed finding aids 
are available in the respective regional archives 
branches. 

111.270 Wartime records of the Newport 
Naval Training Station, RI, are held by the 
National Archives-New England Region (Wal¬ 
tham, MA). General correspondence ("station 
files"), 1912-52 (4 ft.), is arranged in two 
chronological subseries (1912-49 and 1952) and 
thereunder according to the NFM. Included are 
correspondence and other documentation of the 
curriculums of various naval schools and a 
manuscript history of service schools at the 
Naval Training Station, 1942-44. A list of folder 
titles in the series has been prepared by the 
regional archives staff. 

111.271 Precommissioning training flies, 
1944-46 (4 ft.), arranged alphabetically by name 
of vessel (USS Acontius -USS Valeria) , relate to 
training given to each ship's crew prior to 
assignment to the newly commissioned vessel. 
Included are evaluation, inspection, and progress 
reports that rate the crew's performance or 
readiness in such areas as organization, naviga¬ 
tion, engineering, gunnery, and damage control. 
There are also movement and operation orders; 
lists of prospective officers and crewmen; re¬ 
quests for instructional booklets; and correspon¬ 
dence concerning the transfer, pay, and assign¬ 
ment of personnel, and the commissioning and 
"shakedown" (trial) cruises of new vessels. 

111.272 A microcopy of selected historical 
records, 1913-48, reproduced as National 
Archives microcopy T1017 (1 roll), includes 
documents, maps, photographs, and organiza¬ 


tional charts relating to the history of naval 
affairs in general and of activities in the station 
or Newport area in particular. Included are 
copies or extracts from such periodicals as the 
"Newport Recruit," "Scuttlebutt," "Newport 
Navalog," and local newspapers that may relate 
to training activities. 

111.273 The New England Region also 
includes World War II records of the First Naval 
District (Boston, MA). "Administrative History 
of the First Naval District in World War II" 
(less than 1 ft.), prepared by the District Histori¬ 
cal Officer in 1946, includes sections on naval 
personnel administration and training schools. 
The Director of Naval Officer Procurement's 
investigative files of candidates, 1941-43 (1 
ft.), arranged alphabetically by candidate sur¬ 
name, contain background data on individuals 
applying for commissions in the naval reserve. 
Most significant is the Director of Training's 
general correspondence, 1942-49 (4 ft.), ar¬ 
ranged by year and thereunder according to the 
NFM. This material includes information on the 
establishment and functioning of Navy schools, 
including those operating on college campuses in 
the New England area under the V-12 Program; 
activities of the district training office; training 
policies, curriculums, schedules, and facilities; 
use of film and other training aids; Naval Re¬ 
serve Officers' Training programs; rosters of 
instructors and students; reports of training 
accomplished; and requests for supplies and 
equipment. 

111.274 The National Archives-Mid Atlan¬ 
tic Region (Philadelphia, PA) includes wartime 
records of the Fifth Naval District (Norfolk, 
VA). These make up a single series of general 
correspondence, 1926-43 (194 ft.), divided into 
two chronological subseries (1926-40 and 1941- 
43) and thereunder arranged according to the 
NFM. Information concerning the Norfolk Naval 
Training Station may be found under classifica¬ 
tions NM, PI 1, and P14. 

111.275 Records of the Office of the 
Commandant, Great Lakes Naval Training 
Station, are available in the National Archives- 


134 




Records of World War II, Part 1 

Great Lakes Region (Chicago, IL), but these are 
primarily for the period 1914-39, with some 
material dated as late as 1941. The regional 
archives also holds correspondence relating to 
training schools-North western University, 
Indoctrination School-Officers, 1941-45, 
arranged according to the NFM. This correspon¬ 
dence documents the education and training of 
Naval Reserve midshipmen at Northwestern. 

111.276 Records of wartime training 
activities within the Twelfth Naval District (San 
Francisco, CA) and the Fourteenth Naval Dis¬ 
trict (Pearl Harbor, HI) are held by the National 
Archives-Pacific Sierra Region (San Bruno, 
CA). For both districts, records of the Com¬ 
mandant's Office and the Staff Headquarters are 
chronologically complete for the World War II 
period and are arranged according to the NFM; 
pertinent documentation can be found under 
classifications Pll and P14. 

Related Records 

111.277 Additional documentation of naval 
shore faciltities and installations are described 


Record Group 181 

with the majority of RG 181 record descriptions 
in chapter V. Extensive documentation of Navy 
recruitment and training is located among the 
Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, RG 
24, described in chapter II. Within the 1941-45 
subseries of its general correspondence are 
nearly 100 feet of records regarding naval 
schools, including colleges and universities 
participating in the V-12 Program (classification 
NC), with additional data regarding recruiting 
stations (classification NL), naval training 
stations (NM1 through NM5), instruction provid¬ 
ed to personnel (PI 1-1), recruiting and enlist¬ 
ment (PI4-4), and conscription (PI4-6). The 
majority of these records concern administrative 
aspects of these subjects. 

III.278 Additional Navy records from the 
World War II period are now being accessioned 
by the NARA. These may include records that 
further document mobilization and training of 
personnel. Related records held by private 
repositories include numerous posters used by 
the U.S. Navy in its training activities, 1942-45, 
now in the Hoover Institution on War, Revolu¬ 
tion and Peace, Stanford, CA. 


135 




























136 








APPENDIX A 


EXPLANATION OF WAR AND NAVY 
DEPARTMENT FILING SYSTEMS 


Recordkeeping by the American military and 
naval bureaucracy during World War II reflected 
a variety of practices, but throughout this period 
the War Department and the Navy each 
employed one major organizational scheme in 
the maintenance of records. The War Depart¬ 
ment (including the Army Air Forces) followed 
a decimal classification scheme; the Navy 
utilized a complex alpha-numeric classification 
system, known as the Navy Filing Manual after 
the publication that explained it. Although both 
systems were in use prior to the outbreak of 
war, the massive expansion of records and 
recordkeeping that accompanied wartime 
activities led to inconsistencies and variations in 
practice. The following explanations describe 
these classification systems in theory and 
practice. 


The War Department Decimal Filing Scheme 

The War Department's adoption of a decimal 
classification system (or scheme) dates to the 
recommendations of the President's Commission 
on Economy and Efficiency, established by 
President William H. Taft in 1910. Despite 
initial opposition, the War Department gradually 
adopted a decimal scheme over the period 1913- 
17, finalized in a revised version published by 
the Army in June 1918. Throughout the interwar 
years this system remained in effect with little 
change, despite the expansion and addition of 
information subject categories with the growth of 
the Air Corps and the introduction of new 
technology. During this period the Adjutant 
General's Office (AGO) served as the War 
Department’s central recordkeeping agency. 

The coming of war soon revealed shortcom¬ 
ings in the existing recordkeeping arrangements. 
In April 1942, a special War Department board 
recommended several changes in the classifica¬ 
tion scheme to allow for expanded subdivisions 


for Engineer and Army Air Forces activities; 
these changes were finalized and published in a 
new manual in early 1943. April 1942 also 
marked the decentralization of recordkeeping 
authority from the AGO to the growing number 
of Army organizations and commands. 

The decimal filing scheme in use during the 
war organized correspondence, reports, memo¬ 
randums, issuances, and other materials collec¬ 
tively within decimal number classifications. 
The principal subject classifications, and some 


common examples of subordinate subject classi¬ 

fications, are as follows: 

000 

GENERAL 

010 

Laws and legal matters 

040 

Executive departments of the 
U.S. Government 

070 

Inventions 

100 

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING 

110 

Appropriations 

130 

Accounting for funds and 
money 

160 

Contracts 

200 

PERSONNEL 

201 

Personal records 

210 

Commissioned and warrant 
officers 

220 

Enlisted men 

230 

Civilian employees 

300 

ADMINISTRATION 

310 

Business methods and proce¬ 
dure 

320 

Organization of the Army 

350 

Education 

360 

Aviation and aeronautics 

370 

Employment, operation, and 
movement of troops 

381 

National Defense 


137 



Appendix A 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


400 SUPPLIES, SERVICES, AND 
EQUIPMENT 


410 

Materials, machines, and 
hardware 

420 

Clothing and equippage 

430 

Subsistence stores 

452 

Aircraft and aeronautical 
supplies 

470 

Ammunition, armament, and 
other similar stores 

500 

TRANSPORTATION 

520 

Transportation of supplies or 
property 

530 

Transportation by land 

540 

Transportation by water 

580 

Transportation by air 

600 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS 

620 

Barracks and quarters 

660 

Fortifications 

680 

Reservations 

700 

MEDICINE, HYGIENE, AND 

SANITATION 

704 

Casualties, wounded, and 
wounds 

710 

Afflictions, diseases, inju¬ 
ries, etc., and remedies 
therefor 

720 

Health and prevention of 
disease 

800 

RIVERS, HARBORS, AND 

WATERWAYS 

813 

Harbors 

820 

Artificial divisions and 


accessories 


For larger classifications, alphabetical subdi¬ 
visions were added for specific subjects, activi¬ 
ties, or organizational units. For example, the 
classification for aircraft, 452, can include 
separate subdivisions for bombers, pursuit 
planes, and training planes. The smallest filing 


units within all classifications and subdivisions 
are arranged chronologically. A description of 
the decimal system, together with a comprehen¬ 
sive listing of classifications and an alphabetical 
index to subjects, was published by the AGO in 
1943 under the title War Department Decimal 
File System (Revised Edition). 

The most significant group classification is 
the 300 subject group, which includes much 
more extensive information than the "administra¬ 
tion" designation suggests. Classification 381, 
for example, became the most common filing 
location for operational plans. Listed below are 
some of the subjects and types of records includ¬ 
ed within the 300 subject group: 

300.4 Orders (general, special, court-mar¬ 
tial) 

300.5 Bulletins and circulars 

311.5 Confidential and secret communica¬ 
tion, methods of transmittal 

314.7 Military histories 

319.1 Reports 

320 Organization of the Army 

320.2 Strength 

322 Organizations and tactical units 

333.5 Investigations 

334 Boards, committees, commissions, 
and missions 

337 Conferences 

350 Education and instruction 

353 Training 

370 Employment and movement of 
troops 

373 Employment of aviation 

381 Operational plans 

383.6 Prisoners of war 

The above listing also reveals some of the 
shortcomings of the decimal file system, espe¬ 
cially in the combination of subject-matter topics 
with record-type classifications. The most com¬ 
mon example of this occurs in classification 
319.1 "Reports," which became the filing loca¬ 
tion for regular and special reports on virtually 
any military topic. Similarly, the subjects dis- 


138 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Appendix A 


cussed in conferences (337) or disseminated 
through bulletins and circulars (300.5) might 
deal with any topic regularly documented in a 
separate subject classification. 

Another shortcoming concerns overlapping 
subject classifications, which allowed individual 
file clerks considerable discretion in filing 
materials. Organizational data on specific units, 
for example, can often be found among classifi¬ 
cations 320, 320.2, and 322 without any clear 
distinctions. Burials of deceased personnel can 
be recorded in classification 293 (funerals, 
burials, and reports) or 722.2 (disposal of dead); 
negotiations with private firms might be alter¬ 
nately documented in classifications 095 (com¬ 
mercial firms), 160 (contracts), or 400.14 (bids, 
awards, and contracts for supplies). Researchers 
must consider all of these characteristics in using 
War Department records. 

Within the 200 subject group, classification 
200.6 concerns the awarding of decorations, 
medals, and citations to individuals and units; 
210.31 is useful for information on the assign¬ 
ment of officers to specific units; 250.4 relates 
to courts-martial; and 291.2 concerns racial 
issues, including information on military service 
of American blacks, Native Americans, and 
Filipinos. 

Within the 400 subject group, classification 
452 (extending through 452.41) concerns aircraft 
procurement, parts, types, and associated sys¬ 
tems. Other significant classifications include 
421 (uniforms), 421.4 (the wearing of insignia 
and ornaments), 441.1 (medical drugs), 451 
(motor vehicles), 470.8 (tanks and armored 
cars), 471 (ammunition), 472 (artillery pieces 
and machine guns), and 474 (rifles and small 
arms). 

The 700 subject group is the principal filing 
location for medical and casualty information, 
including 704 (casualties, wounded, and 
wounds); 705 (admissions to hospitals); 720.3 
(immunization); 722 (disposal of the dead); and 
726.1 (venereal disease). 

It was also common practice to append 
"project" (subject) files to the end of the decimal 


file arrangment. These project files typically 
include special projects (e.g., the Army Reserve, 
the Womens' Auxiliary Army Corps), general 
geographic areas within the United States, 
airfields, military posts and reservations, and 
foreign countries. Oversized documents (such as 
bound reports) are often systematically filed in a 
supplemental decimal arrangement following the 
main decimal files. 

In addition to the specific characteristics of 
the decimal filing system. War Department 
practices generally resulted in (1) the grouping 
of organization and command files in multiyear 
chronological blocks (often for the entire war 
period) and (2) the integration of documents with 
security classifications below the top secret level 
(i.e., restricted, confidential, and secret) into 
consolidated correspondence files. These practic¬ 
es facilitate access to the records today. 


The Navy Filing Manual 

At the end of World War I the Navy began 
to review its recordkeeping practices, based on 
numerical filing arrangements, with a view to a 
more modern system. In 1923 the Navy adopted 
a complex subject-numeric classification scheme 
prescribed in the Navy Filing Manual issued that 
year, and the identification of the filing system 
with the manual has endured. The manual, 
reissued with changes and additions in four 
editions through 1941, provided for the filing of 
correspondence and reports according to 7 
subject groups and 24 name title groups, often 
used in combination. Each of these groups was 
identified by an alphabetical designation, and 
subordinate subjects by letter-number designa¬ 
tions. 

The seven subject groups are: 

A Administration 
F Aircraft material 
H Hydrography, meteorology, naviga¬ 
tion, astronomy 
L Logistics 


139 



Appendix A 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


N Shore Establishments' materials 
P Personnel 
S Ships' materials 

Each subject group is subdivided into letter- 
number subgroups. The Administrative Group, 
for example, has 21 subgroups, including: 


A1 

Plans, projects, and policies 

A4 

Operations of vessels or aircraft 

A5 

Exercises, practices, and compe¬ 
titions 

A6 

Communications 

A8 

Intelligence 

A9 

Reports and statistics 

A10 

Publications 

A12 

Historical matters 

A16 

War, preparation for and con¬ 
duct of 

A21 

Aviation 

These subgroups are further divided into 
smaller units; for example, A16 War, prepara¬ 
tion for, and conduct of, has four subdivisions: 

A16-1 

National Defense 

A16-2 

Belligerents, combatants, poli¬ 
cies of 

A16-3 

Warfare operations, defensive 
and offensive; reports of; prob¬ 
lems; war games 

A16-4 

Lend-lease program 

The name-title groups, consisting of 24 
categories of letter symbols, provide designations 
for all ships, organizations, and installations in 
the Navy. The 24 categories listed in the 1941 
edition of the manual are: 


AB-AZ 

Auxiliary vessels 

BB 

Battleships 

CA-CL 

Cruisers (heavy and light) 

CM 

Minelayers 

CV 

Aircraft carriers 

DD-DM 

Destroyers and light mine¬ 
layers 


DMS 

Minesweepers 

EA-EZ 

U.S. Government executive 
departments and foreign 
governments 

FA-FV 

Fleets 

GA-HZ 

Government establishments, 
independent 

IX 

Unclassified vessels, naval 

JC-JS 

Materials 

KA-KW 

Marine Corps organizations 

LA-LV 

Civilian personnel 

MA-MZ 

Enlisted personnel 

NA-NZ 

Shore establishments 

OA-OZ 

Officer personnel 

PC-PYc 

Patrol vessels 

QA-QZ 

Miscellaneous name titles 

SM 

Minelaying submarines 

SS 

Submarines 

VB-VT 

Heavier-than-air aircraft 

YA-YY 

District craft 

ZK-ZZ 

Lighter-than-air aircraft 


The name-title groups are further subdivided 
into both subgoups (for subordinate categories) 
and numbers (for individual vessels and installa¬ 
tions). For example, the name-title group for 
officer personnel, OA-OZ, consists of 21 subor¬ 
dinate categories (e.g., OA Marine Corps, OB 
Reserve Corps, OK Staff officers, OL Line 
officers, OV Aviation officers). Individual naval 
installations are designated by both name-title 
subgroup and number. Thus, within the sub¬ 
group for naval schools (NC), the U.S. Naval 
Academy is designated NC2; within the sub¬ 
group for naval air stations (NA), the station on 
Ford Island at Pearl Harbor, HI, is designated 
NA12. Individual naval vessels are identified by 
number within their subgroup. Thus the battle¬ 
ship Arizona is designated BB39 and the de¬ 
stroyer escort Pillsburv is designated DE133. 

File citations often consist of a combination 
of subject and name-title group letters and 
numbers, with a "slant" (/) separating the indi¬ 
vidual file designations. For example, a report 
on battle damage repairs to the aircraft carrier 
Yorktown would be filed under CV5/L11-1, 


140 





Records of World War II, Part 1 

indicating the name-title group and ship, fol¬ 
lowed by the subject group designation for 
salvage and repairs. Intelligence reports on the 
Japanese Navy might be filed under A8/EF37, 
indicating the subject group for intelligence 
followed by the name-title group designation for 
Japan. File citations might also combine two 
subject letters and numbers (for example, Al- 
4/L1-1 for appropriations for public works) or 
two name-title letters and numbers (e.g., 
NY3/LL for civilian personnel at the New York 
Navy Yard). Additional numbers can be used as 
further subdivisions; for example, A 16-3(1) 
through A 16-3(5) might document operations in 
various areas of the Pacific theater, while A16- 
3(6) through A 16-3(8) concerned operations in 
the Atlantic. 

The 1941 edition of the Navy Filing Manual 
provides a detailed listing of subject and name- 
title groups and letters and subordinate designa¬ 
tions, together with an alphabetical index of 
subjects, vessels, and installations with corre¬ 
sponding symbols. Omitted, of course, are the 
designations for vessels and installations built or 
established during the war. 

Among the subject group designations, A16- 
3 most commonly documents wartime opera¬ 
tions. Intelligence data can be most readily 
located within A8, although interrogations of 
POWs are often filed in A16-2 (for example, 
those of survivors of German U-Boats are filed 
in A16-2[3]/EF30). Subject group FI through 
F49 relates to naval aircraft design, parts, and 
associated systems; it is often combined with 
name-title group VB-VT for specific aircraft 
models and tactical units (e.g., reports of design 
defects in the Catalina PBY patrol bomber were 
filed in VPBY/F1-1). Procurement activities are 
generally found within L8. Personnel (subject 
group P) provides information on deaths and 
casualties (P6), appointments (P14), commenda¬ 
tions and medals (P15), rank and promotion 
(P17), and morale (P21). The numerous catego¬ 
ries within Ships' material (subject group S) for 
individual vessels include documentation of sea 
trials (S8), armor protection (SI3), machinery 


Appendix A 

plant (S40), interior communication (S65), radio 
and radar equipment (S67), sonar equipment 
(S68), fire control (S71), turrets (S72), ammuni¬ 
tion (S78), and damage control (S88). 

Although U.S. Navy records contain scat¬ 
tered information relating to the U.S. Marine 
Corps, most records of that service remained a 
separate entity. These materials, and the unique 
filing arrangement by which they were orga¬ 
nized, are described in appropriate chapters of 
this guide. 

As with the War Department decimal filing 
system, the Navy Filing Manual left much to the 
judgment of individual file clerks. For example, 
a 1944 controversy over the alleged desecration 
of Japanese war dead is filed in one series under 
subject designation A16-2 (policies of the bellig¬ 
erents) and in another series under subject 
designation P6-3 (remains of casualties). In sharp 
contrast to War Department practice, however. 
Navy bureaus and commands sometimes ar¬ 
ranged files by individual year, and thereunder 
by individual security classification level (e.g., 
restricted, confidential, secret, top secret). This 
greatly complicates research, particularly given 
the intrinsic complexity of the subject and name- 
title groups and numbers. 

Perhaps because of these recordkeeping 
complexities. Navy archivists and historians 
developed the practice of withdrawing significant 
documents from original files to establish histori¬ 
cal collections. Most World War II war diaries 
and action reports of Navy warships and tactical 
units, for example, were collected for deposit in 
the Operational Archives, Naval Historical 
Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, 
DC; these materials are only now in the process 
of transfer to the National Archives. 

Records originated by the U.S. Marine 
Corps did not follow the Navy Filing Manual, 
but were arranged according to a unique classifi¬ 
cation system known as the Ells-Dran Filing 
System. A full explanation of this system is 
provided in National Archives Inventory No. 2, 
Records of the United States Marine Corps 
(Washington, DC, 1970). 


141 


Appendix A 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


For both the War and Navy Departments, 
personnel records from the World War II period 
are no longer integrated with other wartime 
records but are separately maintained at the 


National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, 
MO. These materials document personnel actions 
and contain medical data for specific individuals. 


142 


APPENDIX B 


MICROFILMED RECORDS CITED 


M984 

M995 

M1080 

M1067 

M1421 

M1493 

T822 

T826 

T931 

T933 

T979 

T994 

T995 

T996 


Navy Department General Orders, 
1863-1948 3 rolls [11.153] 

Papers and Minutes of Meetings of 
Principal World War II Allied Mili¬ 
tary Conferences, 1941-45 4 rolls 
[1.94] 

Name and Subject Index to the 
General Correspondence of the War 
Plans Division, 1921-42 18 rolls 
[ 1 . 110 ] 

Name and Subject Index to the 
General Correspondence of the 
Secretary of the Navy, 1930-42 
187 rolls [11.144] 

Records of the Joint Board, 1903-47 
21 rolls [1.53] 

Proceedings of the General Board of 
the U.S. Navy, 1900-1950 28 rolls 
[1.37] 

Cross Index to the Central Files of 
the Adjutant General’s Office, 
1917-39 1,930 rolls [1.169] 
German and Japanese Surrender 
Documents and the Korean Armi¬ 
stice Agreements 1 roll [1.78] 
"Cover Sheets" for Conscientious 
Objectors Who Served in Work 
Camps, 1941-45 282 rolls [III.29] 
Index to Conscientious Objector 
"Cover Sheets" 2 rolls [III.29] 
Secret Message File of the Plans 
and Operations Division, 1941-47 
451 rolls [1.124] 

Records of Registrants in the 
District of Columbia, 1940-44 
(Local Board 10) part of 249 rolls 
[III. 43] 

Records of Registrants in the 
District of Columbia, 1940-44 
(Local Board 19) part of 249 rolls 
[III. 43] 

Master Index to Conscientious 
Objectors Sent to Camps, 1941-47 
4 rolls [III. 28] 


T997 Case Files for Registrants Appealing 
to the President, 1940-47 225 rolls 
[III. 34] 

T998 Index to Appeals to the President, 
1940-47 12 rolls [III.34] 

T999 Record of Amnesty Board Cases, 

1940-47 4 rolls [111.36] 

T1000 Locator Cards for Conscientious 

Objectors Sent to Camps, 1941-47 
9 rolls [III.28] 

T1001 Docket books of the Presidential 
Appeal Board, 1940-47 5 rolls 
[111.35] 

T1002 Method for Preservation of Selec¬ 
tive Service Records, 1944-45 2 
rolls [III.41] 

T1013 Subject Card Index and Tally Cards 
for the Formerly Security-Classified 
General Correspondence of the 
Chief of Staff, 1920-42 66 rolls 
[1.87] 

T1014 Indexes to the Formerly Security- 
Classified General Correspondence 
of the Chief of Staff, 1942-3 88 
rolls [1.90] 

T1017 Historical Records of the Newport 
Naval Training Station, Rhode 
Island, 1883-1948 1 roll [111.272] 

T1174 Capt. Stacey B. Kittredge's, "The 
Evolution of Global Strategy" 1 
roll [1.78] 


Copies of numbered microfilm publications are 
available for sale from the Publications Sales 
Office, National Archives and Records Admin¬ 
istration, Washington, DC 20408. 


Other microfilmed records are cited at 1.72, 

I. 161, 1.181-182, 11.59, 11.62-64, 11.148, 

II. 211, III. 13, III.25. 


143 




INDEX 


Note: Entries in this index refer to paragraph numbers. Record group titles appear in bold typeface. 


A 

Aaron Ward (U.S. destroyer! 11.211 
Academic Board (U.S. Naval Academy) 

III. 263 

accidents, 11.141, III. 168 
Adams, Maj. Gen. Emory S. (Adjutant 
General of the Army) 11.51 
Adjutant General's Office (War Department) 

I. 167-186, 11.13-14, 11.22, 11.42, 11.50-62, 

II. 64, 11.68-73, 11.126 

Adjutant General's Office, Records of the, 
1917- (RG 407) 1.167-186, 11.50-73 
Adjutant General's Section (Army Ground 
Forces) III. 114-130 
Adjutant General's Section (Second U.S. 
Army) III. 168 

Administrative Office (Executive Office of the 
Secretary of the Navy) 11.149-153 
Admissions Committee (U.S. Military 
Academy) III. 195 

aerial photography 1.117, III.90, III.93 
Aeronautical Board 1.49, 1.110 
Aeronautics, Assistant Secretary for (Navy 
Department) 11.135 
Aeronautics, Bureau of 11.230, III.243 
AFHQ SEE Allied Forces Headquarters. 
Africa SEE North African theater of 
operations. 

African-Americans 

civilian employment 11.161 
in military service 1.1, 1.15, 1.17, 

1.20- 22, 1.24, 1.26, 1.32-33, 1.39, 1.89, 

11.19, 11.56, 11.65, 11.80, 11.82, 11.84, 

II. 115, 11.121, 11.123, 11.143, 11.196, 

III. 3, III. 19, III.21, III.56, III.75, 

III.118, III. 123, III.130-131, III. 168, 
III.217-218 

newspapers and political organizations 

1 . 21 - 22 

Air, Assistant Secretary of War for II. 10-11 
Air Corps, U. S. Army 1.110, 11.81, 11131 
Air Force, Department of II. 11 


air operations SEE Army Air Forces; 
aviation. 

Air Service, U.S. Army 1.110 
Air Transport Command 1.156 
Airborne Branch, U.S. Army III. 148 
Airborne Command and Center (Ft. Benning, 
GA) III. 109, III. 123, III. 178 
Airborne Division, 101st III. 168 
aircraft 1.5, 1.12, 1.68, 1.117, 1.132, 1.168, 

II. 131, 11.174, 11.230 

Aircraft Warning System (AWS) 1.174 
Airship Patrol Squadrons 11.203 
Alabama (U. S. battleship) 11.217 
Alamagordo Bombing Range (Alamagordo, 
NM) III.72 

Alaska 1.38, 1.51, 1.95, 1.129, III.7, III.236 
Alexandria, VA 11.121 
Aleutian Islands III. 119 
Allied Control Commission 1.133, 1.145 
Allied Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) 1.55, 
1.77, 1.115, 1.145, 1.156 
American Council on Education III.221 
American Red Cross 11.129, 11.218 
American theater of operations 1.102, 1.120, 

III. 166 

American Volunteer Group in China 1.171 
ammunition 1.168, 11.131, 11.253, III.81, 

III.90, III. 135, III. 148, III. 161-162, III.212 
Amphibious Training Center (Camp 

Carrabelle/Camp Gordon Johnson, FL) 

III. 109, III. 123, III. 139 
Andrews, Vice Adm. Adolphus (Senior 
Member, Navy Manpoer Survey Board) 

III.241, III.245 

Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided Missile 
Center III. 179 

Antiaircraft Artillery Board III. 179 
Antiaircraft Artillery Command III. 190 
Antiaircraft Artillery School SEE Antiaircraft 
Command and Center. 

Antiaircraft Artillery Training Center SEE 
Antiaircraft Command and Center. 


145 




Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Antiaircraft Command (Richmond, VA) 

III.85, III.88 

Antiaircraft Command and Center (Ft. Bliss, 
TX) III. 109, III. 123, III. 179, III. 180 
antiaircraft weapons/units III.83-88 
Antilles Department III.46 
antisubmarine warfare 1.24, 1.74, 1.132 
antitank measures/units III.54, III.81, III.92 
Anzio, Italy III. 156 
Arabs 1.76 

ARCADIA (British-American military staff 
discussions) SEE Combined Chiefs of 
Staff; Great Britain, coordination with 
U.S., wartime. 

Arctic Sea 1.38 

Argentia Air Station (Newfoundland) 11.203 
ARGONAUT SEE conferences, Allied 
wartime - Yalta. 

Arizona . USS (battleship) 11.197, 11.200, 

II. 202-204, 11.213, 11.233 

Arizona Board No. 2, Pima County, AZ (local 
draft board) III.45 
Arkansas . USS (battleship) III.262 
Armed Forces Personnel Board II.4 
Armed Forces Radio Service 11.218 
Armed Services Personnel Board II.5 
Armored Board III. 140, III. 183-184 
Armored Corps, I III. 183 
Armored Division, 1st III.67 
Armored Force Command and Center (Ft. 
Knox, KY) III. 109, III. 123, III. 162, 

III. 182-183, III. 185 

Armored Force Medical Research Laboratory 
III. 157, III. 185 

Armored Replacement Training Center III. 185 
Armored School SEE Armored Force 
Command and Center. 

Armored Vehicle Branch, U.S. Army III. 148 
Arms, Records of the Chiefs of (RG 177) 

III. 78-94 
Armies 

First U.S. Army 1.156, 11.72 
Second U.S. Army III. 123, III. 167-171 
Third U.S. Army III. 123, 11.72 
Fourth U.S. Army III. 123 
Fifth U.S. Army III. 156, 11.72 


Armies cont. 

Sixth U.S. Army 11.72 
Seventh U.S. Army III. 114 
Eighth U.S. Army 11.72, III. 173 
Fifteenth U.S. Army III. 123 
Army Air Forces (AAF) 1.138, 1.185, II.2, 

II. 116, 11.255, III.56, III.65, III.69, III.76, 

III. 236, III.240 

Eighth Air Force 1.121 
Ninth Air Force 1.121 
Army Air Forces Basic-Advanced Flying 
School III.204 

Army and Navy Staff College 1.58 
Army Commands, Records of U.S., 1942- 
(RG 338) III. 166-190 
Army Effects Bureau 11.119 
Army Emergency Relief Board of Managers 

I. 96 

Army Field Forces Board No. 1 III. 177 
Army Field Forces Board No. 2 III. 185 
Army Ground Forces (AGF) 11.65, 111.61, 

III.65, III.69, III. 103, III. 108-165, III.210 
Army Ground Forces Equipment Review 
Board 11.49 

Army Ground Forces, Records of 
Headquarters (RG 337) III. 108-162 
Army Industrial College III.82 
Army-Navy-British Purchasing Commission 

II. 16 

Army-Navy Petroleum Board 1.60 
Army Nurse Corps 11.65 
Army Post Office 1.138, 11.70 
Army Service Forces II. 11, 11.79, III.56, 

III.65, III.72, III. 110, III. 147, III. 177, 

III. 212-240 

Army Service Forces, Records of 
Headquarters (RG 160) III.211-240 
Army Special Corps (ASC) 11.28-30, III.223 
Army Specialized Training Program III. 191, 
III.212, III.214, III.218-220 
Army Staff, Records of the (RG 319) 
1.154-166, 11.100-104, III.208-210 
Army War College III.61-63, III.82 
Arnold, Lt. Gen. Henry H. (Commanding 
General of the Army Air Forces 1.59, 
1.119, 1.166, 1.194 


146 




Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

Artillery, Chief of (U.S. Army) III.79 
artillery pieces 11.131, III.83, III.90, III.92, 
III. 146, III. 148-149, III. 159, III. 161-162 
Atkins, Dr. Samuel (Selective Service 
examiner, New York) III.49 
atomic bomb 1.8-9, 1.11, 1.19, 1.132, 11.71, 
11.76, III.72 

Atomic Energy Commission 1.129 

Attlee, Clement 1.76, 1.97 

Australia 1.106,11.235,111.128 

Austria 1.19,1.145,1.190,11.102 

Avianca Airlines 11.120 

aviation 1.37, 1.51, 1.84, 1.106, 1.110, 1.117, 

I. 120, 1.122, 1.132, 1.136, 1.168, 11.18, 

II. 52, 11.56, 11.172, 11.197, 11.201, III.57, 

III. 93, III. 123, III.136, III.168 SEE ALSO 
Air Corps, U.S. Army; aircraft; Army Air 
Forces. 

Aviation Section (General Headquarters, U.S. 
Army) III. 129 

Avirett, Comdr. John W. (Executive Officer, 
Office of Budget and Reports, Navy De¬ 
partment) 11.170 

awards 1.90, 1.93, II.8, 11.40, 11.53, 11.60, 
11.67, 11.71, 11.72, 11.82-83, 11.191, 11.198, 
11.253, III. 153 

Awards, Board of SEE Navy Department 
Board of Decorations and Awards. 

Awards of Decorations and Medals, Board to 
Review Recommendations for 11.190 
Azores 1.51 


B 

Bailey bridges III. 155 

Balboa, Panama Canal Zone 1.185 

Balkans 1.73 

Ball, Joseph H. (Congressman) III. 18 
balloons 1.177 SEE ALSO Barrage Balloon 
Training Center. 

Bard, Ralph (Assistant Secretary of the Navy) 
1.32-33 

Barker, Joseph W. (Special Assistant to the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy) III.248 
Barrage Balloon Training Center III. 190 


Beardall, Rear Adm. John R. (Superintendent, 
U.S. Naval Academy) III.249 
Belgium 1.144 
Bermuda 1.107 

Bermuda Base Command III. 128 
Big Bomber Program 1.5 
biological warfare 1.8-9, 1.68, 1.74, 1.122, 
1.158, 1.180, 11.12 

BLACKLIST (invasion of Japan) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 

Block Island . USS (aircraft carrier) 11.217 
Board of Visitors (U.S. Military Academy) 

III. 203 

Board of Visitors (U.S. Naval Academy) 

III. 252 

BOLERO (Europe) SEE operations, 
codenamed. 

Bomber Commands 

XX 1.120 

XXI 1.120 

bombing SEE strategic bombing, Allied, 
bonds, war III. 152 
Bradley, Gen. Follett 1.119 
Bradley, Gen. Omar 1.119 
Brazil 1.139,111.65 

British-American military staff discussions 
SEE Combined Chiefs of Staff; Great 
Britain. 

British Chiefs of Staff 1.57 
British forces 

ground forces III.81, III.84, III.86, 

III.92-93, III. 100, III. 112, III. 114, 

III. 116, III. 120, III. 134, III. 138, 

III. 148, III. 184 

Indian Infantry Brigade, 77th III.57 
Military Mission, 220 (Lethbridge 
Mission) III.57 

Royal Navy 1.38,11.197,11.201 
British Home Guard III.59, III. 102 
British Joint Services Mission 1.57, 1.80 
British Joint Staff Mission 1.57 
British Technical Mission to the U.S. III.86 
Brooke, Field Marshal Sir Alan (Chief of the 
Imperial General Staff) 1.57 
Browning machine gun III.81 
Budget Advisory Committee 11.88-89, 11.91 


147 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Budget and Fiscal Section (Army Ground 
Forces) III. 150 

Budget and Reports, Office of (Navy 
Department) II. 169-179 
Budget, Bureau of the 11.89, 11.169, 11.172, 
11.174, 11.181, III.69 

Budget Division (War Department) 11.89-93 
Bundy, Harvey H. (Special Assistant to the 
Secretary of War) 1.10-11 
Burma 1.65, 1.137, III.57, III. 142, III.236 
Butcher, Capt. Harry C. (Eisenhower's 
personal aide) 1.191 


C 

cadets III.200-201 SEE ALSO Military 
Academy, U.S. 

California-Arizona Maneuver Area (Camp 
Young, CA) III. 109 
camouflage 111.117,111.170 
Camp Barkley, TX III. 177 
Camp Carrabelle, FL III. 109 
Camp Carson, CO III. 180 
Camp Edwards, MA III. 180 
Camp Gordon Johnson, FL III. 109 
Camp Hale, CO III. 109 
Camp Hood, TX III. 109, III. 181, III.210 
Camp Planche, LA III. 188 
Camp Popolopen III. 197 
Camp Shelby, MS III.168 
Camp Trinidad, CO 11.122 
Camp Tyson, TN III. 190 
Camp Young, CA III. 109 
Camp Shows, Inc. 11.70 
Canada 1.107,1.168,11.201 
Canadian-American Military Board 11.47 
Cape Verde Islands 1.139 
captured documents 1.131 
Caribbean 1.107, 1.175, III. 113, III. 127 
Caribbean Defense Command II. 116 
Carter, Rear (later Vice) Adm. William J. 

(Chief, Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, 

Navy Department) 11.232 
casualties, U.S. 1.177, 11.48, 11.53-54, 11.60, 

11.65, 11.71, 11.86, 11.102, 11.196, 

11.209,11.213, 11.221, 11.245, 11.251-252, 11.255, 


casualties, U.S. cont. 

III.118, III.131, III.135, III.156, III.234 
Casualty Branch/Section (Bureau of Naval 
Personnel) 11.220-221 
Cavalry Branch, U.S. Army III. 148 
Cavalry, Chief of (U.S. Army) III.94 
Cavalry Replacement Training Center III. 189 
Central Statistics Office 11.77, 11.101 
Chaplains School (Navy) (Williamsburg, VA) 

II. 217 

Chemical Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 158 

chemical warfare 1.68, 1.114, 1.122, III. 114, 
III. 158 

Chemical Warfare Service III.56 
Chief of Staff (U.S. Army) 1.81-98, 1.160, 

I. 166-167, 11.12, 11.58, 11.74-77, 11.112 
China 1.19,1.76-77,1.106,11.197 
China theater of operations 1.65, 11.72, 

II. 213, III.236 

Churchill, Winston 1.76, 1.97, 1.135 
CINCPAC SEE Commander in Chief of the 
Pacific Command. 

Civil Affairs Division (War Department) 

I. 142-152, 1.166 

Civilian Conservation Corps II. 10 
civilian personnel II.7, 11.66, 11.85, 11.146, 

II. 156, 11.158, 11.167, 11.183, 11.231, 

III. 227 

Civilian Personnel Division (War Department) 

II. 23-27 

Civilian Personnel, Office of 11.23 
claims (against War Department) 11.17, 11.19 
Claims Division (Judge Advocate General 
Army) 11.106 

Cleveland . USS (light cruiser) 11.217 
Coast Artillery, Chief of (U.S. Army) 

III. 83-89 

Coast Artillery Section (General Headquarters, 
U.S. Army) III. 129 

Coast Artillery School III.83-86, III. 190 
Coast Artillery, U.S. Army III. 120, III. 148 
Coast Guard, United States 11.172, 11.186, 

III.241, III.243 

coastal artillery batteries III.88-89 


148 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

coastal security, U.S. 1.24, 1.118, 1.174, 

1.185, 11.131, III.83 
codewords 1.140 

colleges and universities III.218-220, III.244, 
III.256, III.273, III.277 
Collins, Gen. Lawton J. (Chief of Public 
Information, U.S. Army) 11.76 
Colyer, Air Marshal Douglas 1.57 
Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) 1.7, 1.54-57, 

1.61-70, 1.73, 1.78-80, 1.81, 1.88, 

1.91,1.102, 1.116, 1.128, 1.133 
Combined Civil Affairs Committee 1.73, 

I. 150 

Combined Communication Board 1.140 
Combined Intelligence Objectives 
Subcommittee (CIOS) 1.66, 1.131 
Command and General Staff School (Ft. 

Leavenworth, KS) III.64-67, III.82 
Commander in Chief of the Pacific Command 
(CINCPAC) 1.77 

Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet 11.135 
Commanding General, Field Forces SEE 
Chief of Staff (U.S. Army). 

Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater 
of Operations 1.91 

communications systems 1.51,1.140 SEE 
ALSO radio. 

Composite Unit, 5307th (Provisional) III. 142 
Comptroller of the Army, Office of the 

II . 101-102 

conferences, Allied wartime 1.76, 1.94, 1.134 
Algiers 1.7 

Cairo (SEXTANT) 1.56, 1.63 
Casablanca (SYMBOL) 1.7, 1.56 
Potsdam (TERMINAL) 1.5, 1.56 
Quebec (QUADRANT, OCTAGON) 1.7, 
1.56, 1.78 

Teheran (EUREKA) 1.56 
Washington 1.7 
Yalta (ARGONAUT) 1.5, 1.56 
conferences, naval 1.42-44 
Congress 1.6, 1.81, 1.156, II.l, II.10, 11.15, 

11.23, 11.48, 11.88-90, 11.95, 11.145, 11.147, 

II. 169, 11.172, 11.175, 11.181, 11.241, 

III. 191, III.203 SEE ALSO House of 
Representatives, U.S.; Senate, U.S. 


Congressional Investigative Division 
(Department of the Army) 11.104 
Congressional Record III.24 
conscientious objectors III. 14, III. 17, III. 19, 

III.21, III.26-33 

Construction and Repair, Bureau of 11.135 
Contract Settlement Advisory Board II. 11 
contracts 1.27, 11.16, 11.19, 11.96, 11.117, 

II. 142, 11.146, 11.177, 11.181, 11.228, 

III. 89, III. 183 

Contracts Division (Judge Advocate General 
Army) 11.106,11.110 

Controlled Material Branch (Navy Bureau of 
Supplies and Accounts) 11.238 
Coordinator for Soldier Voting 11.31-33 
Coordinator of Research and Development 
(Navy Department) 11.135 
CORONET (invasion of Japan) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 

Corps 

V Corps III. 167, III. 171 

VI Corps III. 167, III. 171, III. 173 
IX Corps III. 163, III. 173 

XI Corps III. 174 
XIII Corps III. 174 
XVI Corps III. 174 

XXI Corps III. 175 

XXII Corps III. 175 
XXXII Corps III. 175 
XXXVI Corps III. 175 

Corps of Engineers II. 10, 11.120 
Counter Intelligence Corps III.56 
counterespionage 1.185 
courts-martial 11.46, 11.104, 11.108, 
11.224-225, 11.227, III. 174-175 
Cramer, Maj. Gen. Myron C. (Judge 
Advocate General, Army) 11.106 
Crete 1.84 

Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone 1.185 
critical materials 11.142, 11.184, 11.232, 
11.235-236 

CROSSBOW (codename for German secret 
weapons) 1.74 SEE ALSO VI and V2 
rockets. 

cryptography 1.140 

CSS SEE Combined Chiefs of Staff. 


149 


Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Cunningham, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew 
B. (First Sea Lord) 1.57 
Current Group (OPD) 1.102 


D 

Dakar, Senegal 1.139 

Darlan, Adm. (Vichy French representative) 

1.149 

Defense, Records of the Office of the 
Secretary of (RG 330) II.4-9 
de Gaulle, Gen. Charles 1.76 
demobilization 1.89, 1.155, 11.176, 11.198, 

III.56, III.73-76, III. 100, III.234 
Desert Training Center (Camp Young, CA) 

III. 109, III. 123-124, III. 138, III. 180, 

III.210 

Desert Warfare Board III. 138 
DETACHMENT (invasion of I wo Jima) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 

Dewing, Maj. Gen. R.H. 1.57 
Dill, Field Marshal Sir John 1.57 
Donovan, Col. William J. (Director, Office of 
Strategic Services) 1.119 
Doolittle, Gen. James 1.119 
Dorchester . SS (U.S. troop transport) 1.177 
Dorr, Goldthwaite (Special Assistant to the 
Secretary of War) 11.21 
DOWNFALL (invasion of Japan) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 
draft SEE ALSO draft boards, Selective 
Service. 

amnesty III.34, III.36 
appeals III.34-35, III.41, III.45 
deferment 11.19, 11.44, III. 19, 

III.21, III.41, III.248 
exemptions III.22, III.41 
inequities III. 17, III.23 
lotteries III.25 

registration III. 19, III.39, III.47 
unfit for service III. 19, III.21 
draft boards III. 17-18, III.20, III.23, III.37, 
III.43-45, III.48 
Dresden, Germany 1.12 
Dumbarton Oaks Conversations (August- 
October 1944) 1.43 


Dykstra, Clarence A. (Director of Selective 
Service) III. 11 


E 

Eaker, Gen. Ira C. 1.194 
Eastern Defense Command III. 128 
Edel, William W. (Navy chaplain) 11.217 
Edison, James (Secretary of the Navy) 11.137 
Egypt III. 120 

Eisenhower, Gen. Dwight D. 1.5, 1.83, 1.96, 

1.103, 1.119, 1.126, 1.144, 1.164, 1.166, 

I. 179, 1.191, 11.71 SEE ALSO Operations 
Division. 

Electric Boat Company 11.161 
Ells-Dran Filing System 11.244 
Employee Relations Branch (Civilian 
Personnel Division, War Department) 

II. 25 

Employee Relations Branch (Navy Division of 
Shore Establishments and Civilian Person¬ 
nel) 11.166 

Engineer Amphibian Command III. 180 
Engineer Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 155 

Engineering, Bureau of 11.135 
engineering projects II. 17 SEE ALSO Corps 
of Engineers. 

Enlisted Naval Training School (Radio) 
(Bedford Springs, PA) 11.219 
equipment, U.S. 1.51, 1.60, 1.74, 1.99, 1.133, 

I. 136, 1.140, 1.158, 1.176, 11.10-11, 11.49, 

II. 53, 11.75, 11.113, 11.117, 11.142, 11.150, 

11.167, 11.197, 11.234, 11.243, 11.245, 

II. 253, III.l, III.51, III.53-54, III.56, 

III. 78-79, III.81, III.83, III.89-90, III. 108, 

III. 112, III. 116, III. 119-120, III. 125, 

III. 134, III. 136, III. 139-140, III. 144-146 
SEE ALSO aircraft; ammunition; artillery 
pieces; rifles; ships; tanks, 
espionage 11.16 

EUREKA SEE conferences. Allied wartime - 
Teheran. 

European Advisory Commission 1.73 
European Theater General Board 1.156 


150 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

European theater of operations 1.65, 1.67, 

1.76, 1.95, 1.121, 1.136, 1.156, 11.76, 

III. 148, III. 153, III. 155, III.236 
Evans, James C. (Civilian Aide to the 
Secretary of War) 1.20 

Eversharp Project (return of war heroes) 11.76 
Evill, Air Vice Marshal D. C. S. 1.57 
Executive Group (OPD) 1.134-135 
Executive Office of the Secretary of the Navy 
(EXOS) 11.136-153 


F 

Farm Security Administration 1.178 
Federal Bureau of Investigation 1.22 
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco 1.178 
Field Artillery Board III.93, III. 161-162 
Field Artillery, Chief of (U.S. Army) 

III.90-93 

field artillery program, 1.12, III. 137 
Field Artillery School III. 143 
Field Artillery, U.S. Army III. 148 
Fifth Amphibious Corps 11.243 
Finance (Army), Records of the Office of 
the Chief of (RG 203) II. 128-133 
Finance Disbursing Offices 11.130, 11.133 
Finance, Office of the Chief of (War 
Department) 11.88, 11.91, 11.128-133 
Finland 111.139,111.142 
Fiscal Director, Office of the (Navy 
Department) 11.179-184 
Fiscal Director, Office of the (War 
Department) 11.129-130 
Fleet Marine Force 11.243, 11.248, 11.254 
Flying Tigers SEE American Volunteer 
Group in China 

FORAGER (invasion of Mariana Islands) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 

Foreign Financial Affairs, Chief of (Office of 
the Comptroller of the Army) 11.102 
Foreign Liquidation Commission, China 

11.119 

Forrestal, James V. (Secretary of the Navy) 
1.26-31, 1.195, 11.137 


France 

allied support to 1.135 
civil affairs in liberated areas of 1.144 
conditions in occupied 1.145 
forces of III.84, III.92-93, III. 100 
Vichy government of 1.149 
Ft. Baker, CA III.177 
Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN III. 177 
Ft. Benning Airborne School SEE Airborne 
Command and Center. 

Ft. Benning Infantry Center, GA III. 178, 

III. 183 

Ft. Bliss, TX III. 109, III. 179 

Ft. Bragg, NC 11.121 

Ft. Dix, NJ 1.169 

Ft. George Meade, MD III. 164 

Ft. Hood, TX III. 164 

Ft. Jackson, SC 11.121 

Ft. Knox, KY 111.109,111.182 

Ft. Leavenworth, KS III.64 

Ft. Leonard Wood, MO III. 186 

Ft. Lewis, WA III. 186 

Ft. Ord, CA III. 187 

Ft. Riley, KS 11.121, III. 189 

Ft. Schuyler, NY 11.219 

Ft. Totten, NY III.190 

Ft. Winfield Scott, CA III. 190 


G 

G-l Section (Army Ground Forces) III. 133 
G-2 Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 134-135 

G-3 Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 136-143 

G-4 Section (Army Ground Forces) III. 145 
Gatch, Rear Adm. Thomas L. (Judge 
Advocate General of the Navy) 11.223 
General Accounting Office 11.181 
General Board of the U.S. Navy 1.34-44 
General Committee (U.S. Military Academy) 
III. 195 

General Headquarters, U.S. Army (GHQ) 
1.112, III.113, III.123, III.126, III.129, 
III.210 


151 


Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


General Motors Corporation 1.27 

General Staff School III.215 

Geneva Disarmament Conference (1926-27) 

1.42 

GEORGE (invasion of the Philippine Islands) 
SEE operations, codenamed. 

German Army 1.115, 11.146, III. 112, III.120, 
III. 129, III. 138-139, III. 168 

campaign in North Africa III. 114, 

III. 120, III. 138, III.205 
campaign in Western Europe, 1940 
III.92-93, III. 100, III. 167-168, 

III. 205 

on Crete 1.84 
morale 1.157 

weapons and equipment III.84, 

III. 134, III. 149, III. 168, III.216 
tanks III. 184 

German Navy 1.38, 11.197, 11.201, 11.210 

German secret weapons SEE CROSSBOW. 

Germany SEE ALSO German Army; 

German Navy; guided missiles; prisoners of 
war; strategic bombing, Allied; VI and 
V2 rockets; war crimes. 

Allied military operations in 1.65, 

1.113-115, 1.121, 1.136-137 
Allied occupation and military 

government of 1.5, 1.8-9, 1.15, 1.17, 

I. 19, 1.73, 1.144, 1.146, 1.190, 11.20, 

II. 84, 11.90, 11.102 
archives of 1.144 
background studies of 1.66, 1.152 
chemical warfare of III. 158 
civil affairs in 1.68,1.118, 

1.131, 1.144, 1.155 
civil defense in III.84 
critical materials in 1.171 
JCS history of war against 1.78 
propaganda of 1.77 
sabateurs from 1.108 
science in 1.19, 1.66, 1.131 
Soviet relations with 1.9, 1.12 
surrender of 1.5, 1.15, 1.76, 1.78, 

1.94 

Gerow, Gen. Leonard T. (Director, War Plans 
Division) 1.103 


GHQ SEE General Headquarters, U.S. Army. 
Gibson, Truman K. (Civilian Aide to the 
Secretary of War) 1.20 
Goering, Hermann 1.179 
Government Branch (Civil Affairs Division) 
1.151 

Great Britain SEE ALSO British forces; 
Combined Chiefs of Staff; lend-lease. 

Battle of Britain 111.59,111.84 
civil defense in III.59, III.84 
cooperation with U.S., pre-Pearl 

Harbor 1.38, 1.51, 1.106-107, 1.134- 
135, 11.16 

coordination with U.S., wartime 
1.24, 1.54-57, 1.62-66, 1.78, 1.80, 

I. 88, 1.97, 1.106-108, 1.128, 1.134- 
135, 1.143-147 

procurement of U.S. aircraft by 

II. 16 

U.S. advisors/troops in 1.112, 11.16, 
11.235, III. 116 

Great Lakes Naval Training Station, IL 

III.275 

Greenland 1.51, 1.107, 1.123, 1.139, III.113 
Greenland Base Command III. 128, III.236 
Greer . USS (destroyer) 11.141 
Ground General School Center III. 189 
Ground Statistics Section (Army Ground 
Forces) ID. 131 

Groves, Brig. Gen, Leslie 1.10 
Guadalcanal 11.246 
Guadeloupe 1.51 

guided missiles 1.29, 1.74, 1.94, 1.132, 1.156 
Guided Missiles Committee (of the JCS) 1.74 
GYMNAST (Europe) SEE operations, 
codenamed. 


H 

Hampton Institute 1.33 
Handy, Gen. Thomas T. (Chief, Operations 
Division) 1.103 
Harriman, Averell 1.5 
Hastie, William H. (Civilian Aide to the 
Secretary of War) 1.20-21 


152 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

Hawaii III.236 SEE ALSO Oahu; Pearl 
Harbor. 

Helgoland III.84 

Hershey, Brig. Gen. Lewis B. (Director of 
Selective Service) III. 11 
Hiroshima 1.132 

Historical Division 1.162. SEE ALSO Office 
of the Chief of Military History. 

Historical Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 122, III. 154 

histories/historical studies 1.19, 1.51, 1.77-78, 

I. 139, 1.152, 1.156, 1.158, 1.162-166, II.6, 

II. 29, 11.40, 11.53, 11.60, 11.83, 11.216-217, 

II. 239, III.48, III. 122-123, III. 138-139, 

III. 154, III.204, III.208-210, III.219-221, 
III.228, III.238, III.270, III.273 

Hitler, Adolf 11.20 
Hodges, Gen. Courtney 1.119 
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and 
Peace (Stanford, CA) III.278 
House of Representatives, U. S. II. 15, II. 92, 
11.95, 11.99 

Howard Hughes Aircraft Corporation 11.96, 
11.98 

Hull, Gen. John E. (Chief, Operations 
Division) 1.103 

HUSKY (1943 invasion of Sicily) See 
operations, codenamed. 


ICEBERG (invasion of Okinawa) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 

Iceland 1.51, 1.84, 1.107, 1.112, 1.139, 

III. 113, III. 127 

Iceland Base Command 1.112, III. 128 
Imperial Prisoner of War Committee 11.82 
Indianapolis (US heavy cruiser) 11.220 
INDIGO (movement and supply of U.S. troops 
to Iceland) SEE operations, codenamed. 
Indoctrination School (Ft. Schuler, NY) 

11.219 

Industrial Manpower Section (Navy Division 
of Shore Establishments and Civilian 
Personnel) 11.159-160 


Industrial Relations, Office of (OIR) (Navy 
Department) 11.154-168 
Industrial Services Division (Bureau of Public 
Relations) 11.40 

industry 11.21, 11.40, 11.58, 11.120, 

II. 160-161, III.76 
Infantry Board 111.81,111.161 
Infantry, Chief of (U.S. Army) III.80-82 
Infantry Divisions 

3d III. 135, III. 156 

Tenth Light Division (Alpine) III. 123 

43d III. 135 

45th III. 107 

92d 11.121 

301st 11.124 

Infantry Regiment, 162d III. 135, III. 160 
Infantry Replacement Training Center III. 178 
Infantry School III. 140, III. 143, III. 178 
Infantry, U.S. Army III. 148 
Information Branch (Civil Affairs Division) 

1.152 

Information Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 152-153 

insignia 11.82, 11.253, III.232-233 
Inspector General of the Army, 11.112-127, 

III. 105 

Inspector General (Army), Records of the 
Office of (RG 159) II. 112-125 
Inspector General's Section (Army Ground 
Forces) III. 151 

Inspector General's Section (Second U.S. 
Army) III. 169 

intelligence activities, U.S. 1.47, 1.51, 1.66, 
1.89, 1.106, 1.115, 1.127,1.131, 1.137, 

I. 171, 1.177, 1.180, 1.185, 11.197, 11.201, 

II. 242, III.84, III.91, III.93, III. 100, 

III. 112, III. 134-135, III. 138-139, III. 158, 

III.181, III.184, III.216, III.234 

Intelligence Division (Army Service Forces) 
1.22 

Inter-Allied Personnel Board 11.47 
International Refugee Organization 1.152 
interservice cooperation 1.19,1.29,1.96 SEE 
ALSO entries under Joint. 

Ireland 1.112, 1.139, 1.183, III. 128 


153 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Italy SEE ALSO prisoners of war; Rapido 
River. 

background data on 1.62 
civil affairs in 1.73, 1.144, 1.153 
combat in III.57, 111.119,111.135, 

III. 156 

conditions in 1.145 
German occupation of 1.145 
ground forces of III. 100 
naval forces of 11.197, 11.201 
U.S. occupation of 1.144, 11.84, 11.102 
Iwo Jima 1.29,1.120 


Jacobs, Rear (later Vice) Adm. Randall (Chief 
of Naval Personnel) II. 194 
Japan SEE ALSO atomic bomb; Japanese 
forces; prisoners of war; strategic bombing; 
war crimes. 

Allied occupation of 1.5, 1.8, 1.15, 

1.19, 1.68, 1.73, 1.118, 1.131, 1.144, 

I. 146, 1.155, 1.190, 11.84, 11.90, 

II . 102 

Allied plans for invasion of 1.68, 

1.120 

background studies of 1.66,1.115, 

I. 171 

balloon use by 1.177 
biological warfare of 1.180 
JCS history of war against 1.78 
naval bombardment of, 1945 1.29 
nuclear research in 11.20 
POW treatment by 1.15 
relations with China 11.197 
relations with West, pre-Pearl Harbor 

II. 197 

surrender of 1.5, 1.78 
Japanese-Americans 

internment of 1.1, 1.14-15, 1.17, 1.178, 

11.20 

military service of 1.15, 1.17, 11.65, 11.82 
Japanese forces 

air forces, kamikaze 11.246 
ground forces 1.84, 1.115, 1.171, 11.146, 

III.57, III.92, III. 100, III. 112, III. 134, 


Japanese forces cont. 

III. 140, III. 158, III. 168, III. 174, III. 184, 

III.216 

naval forces 11.197, 11.201 
J.B. SEE Joint Board. 

JCS SEE Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

Jehovah’s Witnesses III.32 
Jews 1.76,1.148 

Joint Advisory Board on American Republics 
1.121 

Joint Aircraft Committee 11.16 
Joint Army and Navy Board SEE Joint Board. 
Joint Army and Navy Boards and 
Committees, Records of (RG 225) 

I. 48-53 

Joint Army and Navy Munitions Board 1.49 
Joint Army and Navy Selective Service 
Committee 1.49 

Joint Army-Navy Board SEE Joint Board. 
Joint Army-Navy-NACA Personnel Board 

II. 7 

Joint Army-Navy Personnel Board II.4-9, 
11.21, 11.82, 11.87, III.231 
Joint Board 1.45-53, 1.100, I.Ill 
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of the U.S. 
(RG 218) 1.54-80 

Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. (JCS) 1.58-80. 

1.81, 1.88, 1.91, 1.102, 1.116. 1.128, 1.133 
Joint Civil Affairs Committee 1.60, 1.63 
Joint Committee on New Weapons and 
Equipment 1.60, 1.74 
Joint Communications Board 1.60, 1.140 
Joint Economy Board 1.46-47 
Joint Intelligence Committee (later Joint 
Intelligence Subcommittee, then Joint 
Intelligence Staff) 1.60 
Joint Logistics Committee 1.60 
Joint Meteorological Committee 1.60 
Joint Military Transportation Committee 1.60 
Joint Munitions Allocations Committee 1.60 
Joint New Weapons Committee SEE Joint 
Committee on New Weapons and Equip¬ 
ment 

Joint Planning Committee 1.51, I.Ill 
Joint Post-War Committee 1.60 
Joint Production Survey Committee 1.60 


154 


Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

Joint Psychological Warfare Committee 1.60 
Joint Research and Development Board 1.75 
Joint Security Control 1.60 
Joint Staff Planners 1.60 
Joint Strategic Survey Committee 1.60 
Joint U.S. Strategic Committee (later Joint 
War Plans Committee) 1.60 
Judge Advocate General of the Army 
11.105-111 

Judge Advocate General (Army), Records of 
the Office of the (RG 153) 11.105-110 
Judge Advocate General (Navy), Records of 
the Office of the (RG 125) 11.222-229 
Judge Advocate (Navy), Office of the 11.134, 
11.139, 11.148, 11.222-229 


K 

Kentucky Department for Libraries and 
Archives, Frankfort, KY III.48 
Kentucky State Headquarters (Selective Service 
System) III.48 

Kimmel, Adm. Husband E. 1.24 
King, Adm. Ernest J. (Commander in Chief of 
the United States Fleet) 1.59, 1.119, 1.194 
KING (invasion of the Philippine Islands) 

SEE operations, codenamed. 

Knox, Frank (Secretary of the Navy) 1.24-26, 

1.28, 1.31, 1.194, 11.137 
Koch, Ilse 11.60, 11.104 
Korea 1.73 


L 

labor 1.27, 11.17, 11.143, 11.156, III.89 
Labor, Department of III.50 
Labor Requirements Committee (War 
Production Board II. 161 
land acquisition 11.17, 11.20, 11.228 
Landing Vehicle Board III. 187 
Latin America 1.95, 1.121, 11.65 
League of Nations 1.42 
Leahy, Adm. William D. (Chairman, Joint 
Chiefs of Staff) 1.59,1.76,1.194 
Lecture Committee (U.S. Military Academy) 
III. 195 


Legislative and Liaison Division (War 
Department) 11.94-99, 11.104, 11.111 
LeMay, Gen. Curtis 1.194 
lend-lease 1.14-15, 1.26, 1.76, 1.172, 11.19, 

11.90, 11.92, 11.146, 11.170, 11.178, 11.201, 

II. 231 

and Great Britain 1.24, 1.95, 1.105, 
1.107, 1.134-135, 1.175, 11.102 
and USSR 1.106 

Leopoldville . SS (U.S. troop transport) 1.177 
lessons learned (battle experiences) III. 112, 

III. 119-120, III. 135, III. 142, III. 146, 

III. 149, III. 155-156, III. 168, III.216 

Liberia 1.139 
Libya III. 120 

Lilly, Dr. Edward P. (LCS historian) 1.77 
Lincoln, Gen. Lawrence J. (OPD section 
chief) 1.193 

logistics 1.30, 1.176, 11.62, 11.235 
Logistics Group (OPD) 1.102,1.138 
Logistics Planning Branch (Navy Bureau of 
Supplies and Accounts) 11.237 
London Munitions Assignments Board 1.80 
London Naval Conferences (1930, 1935) 1.42 


M 

M-l rifle III.81 
M3 (U.S. tank) III. 183 
M4A2 (U.S. tank) III. 183 
MacArthur, Douglas 1.5, 1.119, 1.126, 1.166, 
1.195, 11.71 

machine guns III.81, III. 148 
Machine Training School (Adjutant General's 
Office) III.221 

Macready, Lt. Gen. G.N. 1.57 
MAGNET (movement and supply of U.S. 

troops to Great Britain) 1.112 
Malmedy Massacre 11.104 
Management Engineer, Office of the (Navy 
Department) II. 188-189 
Manhattan Project SEE atomic bomb. 
Maneuver Director's Headquarters (Second 
U.S. Army) III.170 


155 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


maneuvers 1.48, 1.89, III. 129, III. 136, 

III. 138, III. 140, III. 163, III. 169-171, 

III. 183, III.210 

Manpower Priorities Committees 11.161 
manuals 1.177, 11.55, III.54, III. 162, III. 185, 
III.215 

Mariana Islands 1.29,1.120 
Marine Aircraft Group 61 11.217 
Marine Corps, Records of the United States 
(RG 127) 11.241-254 

Marine Corps, United States 11.141, 11.175, 
11.186, 11.197, 11.211, 11.213, 11.221, 
11.226, 11.241-255 
Marine Examining Board 11.226 
Marine Raider Battalion, 2d 11.246 
Marine Regiment, 4th 11.246 
Marine Retiring Board 11.226 
Marshall, Gen. George C. (Chief of Staff of 
the United States Army) 1.59, 1.81, 1.83, 
1.96, 1.98, 1.119, 1.126, 1.135, 1.164, 

1.166, 1.195, 11.71 

Marshall Research Foundation (Lexington, 

KY) 1.98 
Martinique 1.51 

Maryland . USS (battleship) 11.217 
Massachusetts Board No. 104, Franklin, MA 
(local draft board) III.45 
Massachusetts State Headquarters (Selective 
Service System) III.44 
McCloy, John J. (Assistant Secretary of War) 
1.14-19 

McDougal, Lt. Comdr. C. Bouton (Executive 
Officer, Office of Budget and Reports, 
Navy Department) 11.170 
McLain, Raymond S. (member, Oklahoma 
National Guard) III. 107 
McNair, Lt. Gen. Leslie J. (Commander, 
Army Ground Forces) III. 109, III. 114- 
115, III. 117, III. 152, III.210 
McNarney, Gen. Joseph P. (Deputy Chief of 
Staff of the United States Army) 1.91, 1.96 
McNeill, Rear Adm. Wilfried J. (Fiscal 
Director, Navy Department) 11.180 
Mead Committee (Senate committee to 
investigate defective fuse supplies) 11.96 
Mechanized Cavalry Board III. 182 


medical personnel III.20, III.226 
Medical Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 156 

Mediterranean theater of operations 1.65, 

I. 91, 1.115, 1.121, 11.76, III.236 
Merrill's Marauders SEE Composite Unit, 

5307th (Provisional). 

Michel, Anthony L. (Special Assistant to the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy) III.248 
midshipmen III.253, III.261 SEE ALSO 
Naval Academy, U.S. 

Midway 1.38,1.137 

MIKE (invasion of the Philippine Islands) 

SEE operations, codenamed. 

Military Academy Archives, U.S. (West Point, 
NY) III. 193 

Military Academy, Records of the U.S. (RG 
404) III. 191-207 

Military Academy, U.S. (West Point, NY) 

II. 10, 11.66, III. 191-207 

Military Affairs Division (Judge Advocate 
General Army) 11.106 

Military Attache in London, Office of the U.S. 
1.97 

Military History, Office of the Chief of 
(OCMH) 1.162-166,111.208-210 
Military History Research Collection, U.S. 
Army (Carlisle Barracks, PA) III.63, 

III. 164 

military installations 1.89, 1.96, 1.134-135, 

I. 173, 1.175, 11.52, 11.56, 11.66, 11.68, 

II. 109, 11.116, 11.142, 11.158, 11.168, 

11.245. SEE ALSO named bases, camps, 
and forts. 

Military Intelligence Division (MID) 1.185 
Military Justice Division (Judge Advocate 
General Army) 11.106 
Military Justice, War Department Advisory 
Committee on 11.46 

Military Mission to the USSR, U.S. 1.122, 
11.92, III.236 

Military Personnel and Training Division 
(Judge Advocate General Army) 11.106 
Military Personnel Division (Army Service 
Forces) III.230-240 

Military Personnel Policy Committee II.5 


156 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 

Military Reservation Division (Judge Advocate 
General Army) 11.106, 11.109 
Military Training, Office of the Director of 
III.211-222 
Militia Bureau III.96 
Miller, Dorie 1.33 

Minnesota Board Nos. 1 and 2, Polk County, 
MN (local draft boards) III.48 
missing-in-action SEE casualties. 

Mississippi Board No. 2, Holmes County, MS 
(local draft board) III.45 
MONTCLAIR (invasion of the Philippine 
Islands) SEE operations, codenamed. 
morale, U.S. forces 1.6, 1.15, 1.179, II.3, 

II. 25, 11.78, III.203 

mortor shells, defective fuses for 11.96-97 
Motion Picture Board of Review (Bureau of 
Public Relations) 11.37 
Mountain and Winter Warfare Board III. 139 
Mountain and Winter Warfare Training Center 
(Camp Hale/Camp Carson, CO) III. 109, 

III. 123, III. 139, III. 180 

Munitions Assignments Board (of the CCS) 

1.69 

MUSKETEER (invasion of the Philippine 
Islands) SEE operations, codenamed. 
muster rolls 11.211-214, 11.248-249 


N 

Nagasaki 1.132 

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 

II.7 

National Archives 11.187 
National Archives - Great Lakes Region 
11.219, III.275 

National Archives - Mid Atlantic Region 
11.219, III.274 

National Archives - New England Region 

II. 219, III.270-273 

National Archives - Northeast Region 11.219 
National Archives - Pacific Sierra Region 

III. 276 

National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People (NAACP) 1.21, 11.56 
National Defense Act of 1920 II. 10 


National Defense Emergency Plannung 1.93 
National Defense Program 11.97-98 
National Guard 11.56, 11.67, 11.75, 

11.117-118, III.4, III.58, III.96, III. 100- 
101, III. 105, III. 127 
National Guard Bureau III.96-107 
National Guard Bureau, Records of the (RG 
168) III.96-107 

National Headquarters (Selective Service 
System) III. 15-24, III.31-32, III.34, III.37- 
38, III.41, III.47 

National Munitions Control Board II. 11 
National Personnel Records Center (National 
Archives and Records Administration) 

II. 43, 11.67, 11.72, 11.221, 11.254-255 
Native Americans 11.245, III.21 
Naval Academy Archives, U.S. III.251 
Naval Academy Museum III.264 
Naval Academy, Records of the United 

States (RG 405) III.249-263 
Naval Academy, U.S. 11.193, 11.199, 

III. 249-265 
Naval Districts 

First (Boston, MA) III.273 
Fifth (Norfolk, VA) III.274 
Twelfth (San Francisco, CA) III.276 
Fourteenth (Pearl Harbor, HI) III.276 
Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, 
Records of (RG 181) III.269-276 
Naval Establishment 11.149, 11.185, 11.222 
Naval Examining Board 11.226 
Naval Historical Center 11.206, 11.208, 11.221, 
11.259 

Naval Institute, United States III.264 
Naval Intelligence, Office of 1.137 
Naval Operations, Chief of 11.134-135, 

11.139, 11.148, 11.206, III.249 
Naval Personnel, Bureau of 11.193-221 
Naval Personnel, Records of the Bureau of 
(RG 24) 11.193-221 

Naval Petroleum Reserves, Office of 11.142 
Naval Research Personnel Board 11.216 
Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School III.258 
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps 
11.193, 11.219 

Naval Reserves 11.140, 11.146 


157 


Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Naval Retiring Board 11.226 
Naval War College (Newport, RI) 11.193, 
11.199, III.266-268 
Navigation, Bureau of 11.193 
Navy Amphibious Training Base (Ft. Pierce, 
FL) 11.217 

Navy Armed Guard II.209-210 
Navy, Assistant Secretary of the 1.32-33 
Navy Chaplain Corps 11.193, 11.217 
Navy construction battalions 11.216 
Navy Department II.2, 11.134-135, 11.145, 
11.148, 11.153, 11.257 

Navy Department Board of Decorations and 
Awards 11.190-191 

Navy, General Records of the Department 
of the, 1798-1947 (RG 80) 1.23-47, 
11.134-191, III.241-248 
Navy Manpower Survey Board III.241-247 
Navy Recruiting Program 11.216 
Navy, Secretary of the 1.23-31, 11.134-137, 

II. 139-148 

Navy Supply Depot (Norfolk, VA) 11.142 
Navy-War Production Board 11.184 
Nelson, Gen. O.L. (Deputy Theater 

Commander and Chief of Staff, Mediterra¬ 
nean Theater of Operations) 1.96 
Netherlands 1.144 
Netherlands East Indies 1.84 
neuropsychiatric conditions 1.10, III.20, 

III. 156 

New Developments Division (War Department 
Special Staff) 1.75 

New Guinea 1.137, III. 116, III. 119, III. 135, 
III. 160 

New Orleans Staging Area III. 188 
New York . USS (battleship) III.262 
New York Board No. 123, Bronx County, NY 
(local draft board) III.45 
New York Psychoanalytic Institute, New 
York, NY III.49 

New York State Archives, Albany, NY 
III. 107 

New Zealand Division III. 146 
Newfoundland 1.117 
Newfoundland Base Command III. 128 
Newport Naval Base, RI III.268 


Newport Naval Training Station, RI III.268, 
III.270-272 

News Division (Bureau of Public Relations) 

II. 38-39 

Nimitz, Adm. Chester 1.24, 11.194 

Nimitz Library (U.S. Naval Academy) III.264 

Nisei SEE Regimental Combat Team, 442d. 

Noble, Adm. Sir Percy 1.57 

Norfolk Naval Training Station, VA III.274 

Normandy Invasion 

D-Day landings III. 116 
naval support for 1.29 
planning for 1.65, 1.122, 1.130 
North African theater of operations 1.77, 
1.117, 1.121, 1.152, 1.183, III.57, III.114, 

III. 116, III. 119-121. III. 135, III. 146 
Nuernberg war crimes trials 11.104 
Nuessle, Robert F. (Chairman, North Dakota 

State Headquarters, Selective Service 
System) III.49 


O 

Oahu 1.173,11.123,11.233,111.86 
OCTAGON SEE conferences, Allied wartime 
- Quebec. 

Office of Strategic Services (OSS) 1.58, 1.67, 

I. 77, 1.116, 1.145 

Office of War Information (OWI) 1.77, 1.116, 

II. 76 

Officer Candidate School III.215, III.231 
officer candidate schools III. 138 
Officer-Enlisted Man Relationships, Board on 
(Secretary of War) 1.179,11.82-83 
Officer Procurement Service (Headquarters, 
Services of Supply) 11.28, 11.30, III.223- 
229, III.237 

Officers' Reserve Corps 11.56 
Okinawa 1.77,1.120,11.83 
Oklahoma National Guard III. 107 
OLYMPIC (invasion of Japan) SEE 
operations, codenamed. 

OPD SEE Operations Division 
Operations and Training Division (G-3) (War 
Department) III.51-60 


158 



Index 


Records of World War D, Part 1 

operations, codenamed 
BLACKLIST 1.120 
BOLERO 1.164 
CORONET 1.120 
DETACHMENT 1.120 
DOWNFALL 1.120 
FORAGER 1.120 
GEORGE 1.120 
GYMNAST 1.164 
HUSKY 1.135 
ICEBERG 1.120 
INDIGO 1.112 
KING 1.120 
MAGNET 1.112 
MIKE 1.120 
MONTCLAIR 1.120 
MUSKETEER 1.120 
OLYMPIC 1.120 
OVERLORD 1.122 
QUICKFIRE 1.109 
SLEDGEHAMMER 1.91 
TORCH 1.91,1.109,1.115 
VICTOR 1.120 

Operations Division (OPD) (War Department) 

1.83, 1.91, 1.101-102, 1.105, 1.108, 1.110, 

1.113-141, 1.164-165, 1.193, III.52, III.56 
oral histories III.264, III.267-268 
ORANGE (comprehensive U.S. war plan) 

1.109, 1.184 

Ordnance Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 159 

organization and structure of U.S. armed 
forces 1.5, 1.10, 1.26, 1.30, 1.67, 1.81, 

I. 94, 1.96, 1.122, 1.135, 1.171, 1.176, 

II. 29, 11.33, 11.45, 11.53, 11.56, 11.79, 

11.86, 11.102, 11.114, 11.129, 11.135, 11.156, 

II. 172, 11.181, 11.183, 11.195, III.53-54, 

III. 57, III.75, III.81, III.90, III.93, III. 100, 

III. 101, III. 104, III. 106, III. 116-117, 

III. 123, III. 139, III. 144, III. 162, III.208- 
210, III.234, III.257 
OSS SEE Office of Strategic Services. 
OVERLORD SEE Normandy Invasion; 

operations, codenamed. 
overseas observers III. 119, III. 134, III. 136, 
III. 143 


OWI SEE Office of War Information. 


P 

Pacific theater of operations 1.65, 1.76, 1.106, 
1.120, III. 148, III. 155-156, III.236 
Pan American Airways 11.120 
Pan-American Group (OPD) 1.102, 1.121 
Panama Canal Department III. 128 
Panama Canal Zone 1.51, 11.16, 11.116, 

III. 236 

Panav . USS (gunboat) 11.191, 11.197 
paratroops III.81 
Patch-Simpson Board 1.96 
Patents Division (Judge Advocate General 
Army) 11.106 

Patrol Bombing Squadrons 11.211 
Patterson, Robert B. (Secretary of War) 1.8-9, 

I. 13, 1.166, 1.194, 11.12, 11.18, 11.22 
Patton, Gen. George S. 1.119, 11.71, III. 109, 

III. 115, III. 136, III. 152, III.210 
Pearl Harbor 

attack on 1.171, 11.71 

damage and casualties at 11.65, 11.204, 

II. 213 

defenses of III.86 

facilities at 1.173, 11.120, 11.122, 11.233 
investigations of attack on 1.26, 1.156 
Personnel and Administration Branch (Office 
of the Chief of Staff) 1.82 
Personnel Board, Secretary of War's 11.43 
Personnel Division (G-l) (War Department) 

II. 78-87 
personnel files 

War Department ("201") 1.88, 1.113, 

1.119, 1.123, 1.159, 11.43, 11.67, 11.118, 

III. 119, III. 150, III.226 
Navy Department 11.156, 11.221 

Personnel Policy Board (Office of the 
Secretary of Defense) II.4 
Personnel Procedures, Committee on (Crowell 
Committee) 11.24 

Personnel, Supervision, and Management, 
Division of (Navy Department) SEE 
Industrial Relations, Office of. 


159 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Petersen, Howard (Assistant Secretary of War) 

I. 14, 1.19 

Peterson, Maj. Gen. Virgil L. (Inspector 
General of the Army) 11.114 
Philadelphia Office of the Selective Service 
System III.44 

Philippine Department III. 128 
Philippine Islands 

casualties in, U.S. 11.48, 11.213 
combat in 1.84, 1.171, 11.246, III.81, 

III. 120, III. 136, III. 173, III.268 
defense of 11.56 
facilities in 1.40 
forces of 1.125, 11.80 
general information about 1.51, 11.16, 

11.71 

plans for U.S. invasion of 1.120 
U.S. forces in 1.175, 11.65 
Pine Camp III. 197 
Plans and Operations Division (War 
Department) 1.101, 1.154-159 
Plans, Office of the Director of (U.S. Air 
Force) 1.79 

Policy, Regulations and Procedures Branch 
(Civilian Personnel Division) 11.25 
Pol ish Res istance 1.122 
Polk County Historical Society, Crookston, 
MN III.48 

Port Lyautey, Morocco III. 121 
Portal, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles (Chief 
of the Air Staff) 1.57 

postwar planning 1.5, 1.68, 1.96, 1.128, 1.185, 

II. 49, 11.98, 11.175-176, III.75, III.96 
Pound, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley (First 

Sea Lord) 1.57 

President of the United States 1.5, 1.48, 1.55, 

I. 59, 1.76, 1.81, 1.93, 1.97, 1.135, 1.191, 

II. 10, 11.108, 11.134, III.6, III.7-9, III. 12, 

III. 34-36, III.68 

Presidential Appeal Board III.34-35 
President's Amnesty Board III.36 
prisoner of war camps, U.S. 11.109 
prisoners of war, American 

condition and treatment of 1.15, 1.68, 

I. 76, 1.118, 1.132, 11.48, 11.53-54, 

II. 65, 11.82 


prisoners of war, American cont. 

liberation of 1.89, 1.155, 1.177, 1.179, 
11.82-84, III.232-233 
mistreatment of 11.82 
prisoners of war, British III.233 
prisoners of war, German 
claims by 11.102 

condition and treatment of 1.15, 1.68, 

1.76, 1.89, 1.118, 1.132, 11.82, 11.122 
interrogations of 1.131, III. 112 
labor use of 1.89, 11.21, 11.156, III.232 
protests by 11.20 

repatriation of 1.15, 1.19, 1.155, 1.177, 
1.179, 11.82 

prisoners of war, Italian 1.89, 1.118, 11.102, 
11.232 

prisoners of war, Japanese 

general information 1.89, 1.118, 1.158 
interrogations of 11.246, III. 112, III. 134 
prisoners of war, Soviet 1.15, 11.124 
Procurement and Materiel, Office of (Navy 
Department) 11.170 

Production Urgency Committees 11.161 
Program Review and Analysis Divison (Office 
of the Chief of Foreign Financial Affairs) 
11.102-103 

psychological warfare 1.77, 1.145 
Public Information Division (Defense 
Department) 11.41 

Public Information Division (Marine Corps) 
11.247 

Public Record Office (Kew, England) 1.80 
Public Relations (War Department), Bureau of 
11.35-41 

Puerto Rico Department III.46, III. 128 


Q 

QUADRANT SEE conferences, Allied 
wartime - Quebec. 

Quartermaster (Second U.S. Army) III. 169 
Quartermaster Section (Army Ground Forces) 
III. 160 

Quartermaster Section (General Headquarters, 
U.S. Army) 111.129,111.160 


160 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Index 


Quartermaster Truck Company, 3714th 
III. 168 

QUICKFIRE (proposed operation in the 
Middle East) SEE operations, codenamed. 


R 

radar 1.68, 1.74, 1.118, 1.140, 11.12, 11.245 
Radar Working Committee (of the JCS) 1.74 
radio 1.51,1.68,11.245,111.149 
messages 1.161, 1.182 
stations 1.174 

Radio Naval Training School (Oxford, OH) 
11.214 

RAINBOW (war plans designation) 1.100, 

I. 105, 1.109, 1.184 

Ranger School, Second Army III. 170 
Rapido River, Italy 1.137, 1.156, 11.95 
Ray, Marcus H. (Civilian Aide to the 
Secretary of War) 1.20 
Records Administration, Office of (Navy 
Department) 11.185-187 
readiness 1.37, 1.40, 11.123, 11.246 
recreation and welfare 1.6, 11.25, 11.218 
recruitment II. 10, 11.143, 11.160, 11.215, 

II. 235 

Marine Corps 11.244-245 
Navy 11.198 

Redistribution Stations (Army Ground and 
Service Forces) III.240 
refugees 1.152 

Regimental Combat Team, 442d 1.17, 11.121 
Requirements Section (Army Ground Forces) 

III. 146-148 

research and development 1.8, 1.37, III. 179, 

III. 187 

Reserve Midshipmen, 12th Group of III.261 
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) 

II. 67, III.90, III.212, III.231 
Reserve Officers' Training Schools (Navy) 

III. 257-259, III.273 
reserves 

Army 1.175,1.181,11.5,11.56,11.75 
Marine Corps 11.250 
Navy 11.140, 11.146, III.257, III.259-261, 
III.266, III.273, III.275 


Reuben James . USS (destroyer) 11.141, 11.197 
Rickenbacker, Capt. Eddie V. 1.119 
rifles 111.81,111.148,111.159 
Rocket Propellant Panel (of the JCS) 1.74 
rockets SEE V1 and V2 missiles 
Roosevelt, Franklin 1.5, 1.76, 1.97, 1.135, 
1.191, III.6 
Rumania 1.180 


S 

saboteurs, German 11.108 
Safety Engineering Branch (Navy Division of 
Shore Establishments and Civilian Person¬ 
nel) 11.167 

Seabees SEE Navy construction battalions. 
Seacoast Service Test Station III. 177 
Selective Service System 11.82, III.4, III.6-50, 
III.58 

Selective Service System, Records of the, 
1940- (RG 147) III.6-50 
Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 
III. 6 

Senate, U.S. 11.15,11.66,11.95-99 
Services of Supply 11.11, 11.63, 11.105 
Services of Supply, Headquarters 1.172, 

1.177, 11.37, 11.55, 11.78, 11.128, III.96 
Seventh Day Adventists 1.33 
SEXTANT SEE conferences, Allied 
wartime - Cairo. 

SHAEF SEE Supreme Headquarters, Allied 
Expeditionary Forces. 

ships SEE ALSO names of individual ships, 
administration of 11.141, 11.144-145, 
11.172, 11.186, 11.193, 11.197, 11.200, 
11 . 202 , 

bombardments by 1.29 
design and construction of 1.35, 1.37-38, 
1.40, 1.68, 11.230 
financial data about 11.233 
logs of 11.203-209 
Marines on 11.245 
muster rolls of 11.211-214 
statistics about 11.174, 11.236 
training III.262, HI.271 
unit histories for 11.217 


161 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Ships, Bureau of 11.135, 11.175, 11.230 
shipyards/dry docks 1.40, 11.147, 11.182 
Shore Establishments and Civilian Personnel, 
Division of (Navy Department) SEE 
Industrial Relations, Office of 
Short, Gen. Walter C. (Commanding General 
of the Hawaiian Department) 1.166 
Sicily 1.135, III. 114, III. 119, III. 145 
Signal Corps units III. 169 
Signal Section (General Headquarters, U.S. 
Army) III. 129 

Signal Section (Second U.S. Army) III. 169 
Silician (U.S. troop transport) 11.122 
Sino-Japanese war 11.197 
SLEDGEHAMMER SEE operations, 
codenamed. 

Slovik, Pvt. Eddie 11.108 
Smith, Gen. Walter Bedell (Eisenhower's chief 
of staff) 1.191 

Solar Subcommittee (of the JCS) 1.74 
Solomon Islands 1.137 
South America 1.95 
South Pacific Command 11.72 
Southeast Asia Command 1.158 
Soviet Union SEE ALSO lend-lease; prisoners 
of war; Stalin, Joseph. 

Allied coordination with 1.51, 1.55, 

1.76, 11.56, III. 184 
German relations with, 1939-41 1.9, 

1.12 

occupation of Eastern Europe by 1.180 
Soviet-Finnish War 111.139,111.142 
Soviet-German War 1.94, 1.115 
U.S. military missions to 1.51, 1.119, 

1.122, III.236 

Spaatz, Gen. Carl 1.179, 1.194 
Spear, Rear Adm. Raymond (Chief, Bureau of 
Supplies and Accounts, Navy Department) 

II. 232 

Special Planning Division (War Department) 

III. 73-77 

Sphinx Project (tactics for attacking Japanese 
fortified positions) III. 140, III. 184 
Spruance, Adm. Raymond A. (Commander of 
the U.S. Fifth Fleet) III.268 
Stalin, Joseph 1.76 


Standing Liaison Committee 1.81, 1.95 
Stark, Adm. Harold R. (Chief of Naval 
Operations) 1.59 

State Department, U.S. 1.42, 1.76, 1.127, 
1.189 

State Director of Selective Service III.7 
State Guard III.59, III.96, III. 102, III. 104 
State Historical Society of North Dakota, 
Bismarck, ND III. 49 
State-War Navy Coordinating Committee 
(SWNCC) 1.91,1.133,1.150,1.190 
statistics about 

casualties 11.65, 11.196, 11.245, 11.252, 

III.48 

civilian personnel 11.26,11.156 
draft III. 17, III. 19, III.38-39, III.45, 

III .48 

equipment/supplies 11.131, 11.174, 11.235, 

II. 238 

manpower 11.162, III.48, III.70, III.72, 

III. 242 

military housing 11.75 
military justice 11.46 
military personnel III.238, III.240 
Navy personnel 11.174, 11.196, 11.212, 

II. 235 

officers 1.164, 11.75, III.228, III.231 

prisoners of war 11.65 

ships 11.174 

shipyards 11.182 

soldier voting 11.33 

strength 11.65, 11.75, 11.103, 11.196, 

III. 85, III.130-131, III.247 
training 111.141,111.216,111.221 

Stewart Field, NY III.204 
Stilwell, Gen. Joseph W. (Head, War 

Department Equipment Board; Commander 
Army Ground Forces) 11.49, III. 109 
Stimson, Henry L. (Secretary of War) 1.5-8, 
1.10, 1.13, 1.195, 11.12, 11.18, 11.22 
strategic bombing. Allied 

of Germany 1.12,1.15,1.89,1.122, 
1.156-157, 

of Japan 1.15, 1.29, 1.65, 1.89, 1.120, 

1.156 


162 



Records of World War II, Part 1 


Index 


Strategic Bombing Survey, United States 1.29, 

1.156 

Strategic Plans/War Plans Division (Office of 
the Chief of Naval Operations) 1.192 
Strategy and Policy Group (OPD) 1.102, 

1.128, 1.130, 1.139, 1.166 
Strength Accounting and Reporting Office 

I. 82, 11.74, 11.77. 11.101-102 
Strength Accounting and Statistical Office 

II. 77, 11.101-102 

strength reports 1.114, 1.122, 1.171, 1.176, 

I. 180, 11.65, 11.75, 11.80, 11.102-103, 

II. 196, 11.252, III.56, III.58, III.85, 

III. 101, III. 117, III. 127, III.130-131, 

III.232, III.239, III.243-244, III.247 

Strength Statistics Branch (Bureau of Naval 
Personnel) 11.221 

Strong, Gen. George V. (Director, War Plans 
Division) 1.103 

submarines 1.37-38,11.161 SEE ALSO 
U-boats. 

suggestions 1.114, 1.136, 11.58, 11.143, 

11.146, 11.166 

Sultan, Lt. Gen. Dan I. (Inspector General of 
the Army) 11.114 

Supplies and Accounts, Bureau of 11.182, 

11.230-240 

Supplies and Accounts (Navy), Records of 
the Bureau of (RG 143) 11.230-240 
Supreme Commander, Allied Powers (SCAP) 
1.153 

Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary 
Forces (SHAEF) 1.55, 1.77, 1.144, III. 116 
Surles, Maj. Gen. Alexander D. (Director of 
the Bureau of Public Relations, War De¬ 
partment) 11.38 

SYMBOL SEE conferences, Allied wartime - 
Casablanca. 

Sweden III. 139 
Switzerland III. 139 


T 

T9E1 (tank) III. 184 

Tank Destroyer Board III. 181 


Tank Destroyer Center (Camp Hood, TX) 

III. 109, III.123, III. 140, III. 164, HI. 181, 

III.210 

Tank School III.81 

tanks/armored vehicles III.80, III. 139, 

III. 146, III. 149, III. 157, III.159, III. 161, 
III. 183-184 
Task Force 51 1.120 
Task Force 52 1.120 
Task Force 56 1.120 
Task Force GOALPOST III. 122 
TERMINAL SEE conferences, Allied 
wartime - Potsdam. 

Terminal Island Naval Air Station (Roosevelt 
Base) 11.168 

Texas . USS (battleship) III.262 
Theater Group (OPD) 1.102 
Tokyo Military Prison 11.54 
Top Policy Group (Navy Department) 1.30 
TORCH (invasion of French North Africa) 
SEE operations, codenamed. 
torpedoes 1.40, 11.141 
training SEE ALSO named schools and 
centers. 

amphibious 1.140,11.245,111.136 
Army 1.6,11.20,111.117,111.150 
civilian personnel 11.25,11.156 
combat III. 137 
National Guard III. 101 
Navy 11.198,11.219 
replacement 111.133,111.141 
specialized II.5, 11.21, III. 123 
women 11.86 

Training Regiment, First III. 189 
Training Regiment, Second III. 189 
treason 1.155 
Treasury Department 11.92 
Trinidad Base Command III. 128 
Troop Training Division (Army Ground 
Forces) 111.137-138,111.140 
Truman, Harry S 1.76, 1.97, 1.191 
Turner, Adm. R. Kelly (Director, War Plans 
Division) 1.192 


163 



Index 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


U 

U-boats 1.177,11.210 SEE ALSO 
antisubmarine warfare. 

Ulio, Maj. Gen. James A. (Adjutant General 
of the Army) 11.51 
ULTRA (signal intelligence) 1.180 
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation 
Administration 1.73 

United Service Organization (USO) 11.70, 
11.199, 11.218 

Universal Military Training 11.98 
U.S. Steel Corp. 1.27 
Utah Appeal Board No. 2 (local draft appeal 
board) III.45 


V 

V-l and V2 rockets 1.10, 1.12, 1.74, 1.91, 

1.132, 1.156 

V-5 instructors (Navy) III.257 
V-12 Program (Navy) 11.193, 11.219, III.212, 
III.221, III.244, III.273, III.277 
V-Mail 11.70 
Venezuela 1.117 

VICTOR (invasion of the Philippine Islands) 
SEE operations, codenamed. 

Victory Program Troop Basis (Army) III.52 
voting, soldier 11.19 SEE ALSO War Ballot 
Commission. 


W 

Wake Island 11.213 

Walker, Addison (specal assistant to the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy) 1.32-33 
War, Assistant Secretary of 1.14-22 
War Ballot Commission, U.S. 11.31-34 
War College Division (War Department) 1.99 
War Council (Secretary of War) 1.81, 1.93 
war crimes 

Asia and Pacific 1.14, 1.17, 1.19, 1.68, 

I. 132, 1.146, 1.155, 1.157, 1.179-180, 

II. 60, 11.82, 11.84, 11.104, 11.106-10707, 
11.223, 11.229 


war crimes cont. 

Europe 1.14, 1.17, 1.19, 1.68, 1.70, 1.89, 

I. 132, 1.146, 1.155, 1.157, 1.179-180, 

II. 60, 11.82, 11.84, 11.104, 11.106-107 
War Crimes Branch (Judge Advocate General 

Army) 11.106-107,11.110 
War Department III. 17, III.69 
War Department Army Retiring Board 11.45 
War Department Central Deferment Board 

II. 44 

War Department Civil Defense Mission to 
England III.59 

War Department Civilian Recruitment Program 
11.66 

War Department Classified Message Center 
1.82, 1.160-161, 11.62 
War Department Decorations Board 1.90 
War Department Dependency Board 11.48 
War Department Equipment Board (Stilwell 
Board) 11.49 

War Department General and Special 
Staffs, Records of the (RG 165) 

1.81-153, 11.74-99, III.51-77 
War Department General Council 1.82, 1.93, 
1.116, 11.55 

War Department Manpower Board (Gasser 
Board) III.68-72, III.241, III.245 
War Department Personnel Board 11.43 
War Department Troop Basis III.52 
War Manpower Commission 11.21, 11.162, 

III. 11, III. 19, III.50, III.248 

war plans 1.5, 1.34, 1.51, 1.62, 1.64, 1.97, 
1.108, 1.134-135, 11.246 
War Plans Division (Navy Bureau of Supplies 
and Accounts) 11.232, 11.236 
War Plans Division (War Department) 

1.99-100, 1.103-112, 1.135, 1.167, 1.184 
war production 1.18, 1.27, 1.68, 1.106, 1.175 
War Production Board II.11, 11.161-162 
War, Records of the Office of the Secretary 
of (RG 107) 1.4-22,11.10-49 
War, Secretary of 1.4-13, 1.81, 11.10-22, 11.58 
Warren, Comdr. Robert H. (oral historian, 
Philippines campaign) III.268 
Warsaw 1.122 

Washington Naval Conference (1921-23) 1.42 


164 


Records of World War II, Part 1 


Index 


Welsh, Air Marshal Sir William 1.57 
Wemyss, Lt. Gen. Sir Colville 1.57 
Western Defense Command 1.118, 1.178, 

III. 128 

Western History Collections, Norman, OK 
III. 107 

WHITE (plan for military takeover of U.S. in 
event of domestic emergency) 1.109 
White House 1.5, 1.95 
Wilson, Field Marshal Sir Henry Maitland 

I. 57 

Wingate, British Gen. Orde III.57 
Woodring, Henry H. (Secretary of War) 

II. 12, 11.22 

Woodson, Rear Adm. Walter B. (Judge 
Advocate General of the Navy) 11.223 
women II.5, II.7, 11.66, 11.80, 11.160-162, 

11.167 

Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency 
Service (WAVES) II.1, 11.146, 11.199, 
11.216 

Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) 
11.79 


Women's Army Corps (WAC) 1.181, II.l, 

II. 56, 11.64, 11.79-80, 11.82, 11.86, III.56, 

III. 118, III. 188, III.217, III.219, III.232, 

III.234, III.236 

Women's Reserve Division (Navy) 11.218 
Women, Assistant Chief for (Bureau of Naval 
Personnel) 11.221 


Y 

Yards and Docks, Bureau of 11.230 
Yorktown . USS (aircraft carrier) 11.200, 
11.233 

Young, Rear Adm. William B. (Chief, Bureau 
of Supplies and Accounts, Navy Depart¬ 
ment) 11.232 
Yugoslavia 1.131,1.145 


Z 

Zone of the Interior 11.68 


165 









































































G 


uide to Records Relating to 

U.S. Military Participc library of congress 
in World War II 

Part I 

Policy, Planning, Administration 

Compiled dy Timothy P. Mulligan 




his first volume of the Guide to Records Relating to U.S. Military 
'articipation in World War II identifies ond describes records in 
ie Notional Archives that document the activities of the many 

military agencies involved in 

formulation of strategy for the conduct of the war; 
determination of manpower and logistical requirements; 
establishment of policies associated with war crimes, military 
government in occupied areas, and evacuation of Japanese 
Americans from the U.S. west coast; 

★ personnel matters associated with the war, including issues 
relating to women and African Americans; 

★ financial matters, including land acquisition for military 
installations; 

★ legislative issues; and 

★ mobilization and training of U.S. military and naval personnel. 


The records include those of the Office of the Secretary of War, 
the Department of the Navy, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the War 
Department General and Special Staffs, the Adjutant General's Office, 
the U.S. Marine Corps, the Selective Service System, the National 
Guard Bureau, the Army Ground Forces, the Army Service Forces, the 
U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy, and the many 
naval districts and shore establishments. 


Forthcoming volumes include chapters that 
describe records documenting 


★ armaments production and procurement, 

★ guarding the home base, 

★ support and services, 

★ the contributions of science ond technology, 

★ intelligence activities, 

★ the war or seo, 

★ the war in the air, 

★ general military operations in the European theater, 

★ general military operations in the Pacific ond Asia, 

★ general military operations in the Mediterranean and 
other theaters, and 

★ the prosecution of Axis war crimes. 


1-880875-08-X 


200118 



























































































































































































































































































































